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The Story of Onions

The onion is believed to have originated in Asia, though it is more likely that they were in fact growing wild on every continent. Dating back to 3500 BC, onions were one of the few foods that did not spoil during the winter months and our ancestors must have recognized this vegetable’s durability and began growing them for food.

The ancient Egyptians worshipped the onion, believing that its spherical shape and concentric rings symbolized eternity. Today, onions are used in a variety of dishes and rank sixth among the world’s leading vegetable crops.

Onions contain an anti-oxidant flavonoid which is beneficial against cataracts, cardio-vascular diseases, cancers of the breast, colon, ovary, lung and bladder and possibly even reduces the incidence of osteoporosis.

Fun Facts…

• World onion production is estimated at approx.47 billion kilos each year with annual avg. consumption per person being 6.2 kg.
• Libya has the highest consumption with 30.3 kg per person, per year.
• Before New York was called the „Big Apple”, it was know as the Big Onion.
• If you eat onions, you can get rid of onion breath by eating fresh parsley.
• According to an old English Rhyme, the thickness of an onion skin can predict the severity of the winter. Thick skins indicate a rough winter ahead.
• The largest one ever grown weighed 5 kg and was grown in England.

Previous articles:

• The Story of EGGPLANT
• The Story of Tomatoes
• Down to Earth...
• The Story of OLIVES
• The Upper Crust... pitas, pies & pastries.
• The Story of Figs...
• The Big Cheese....
• Fishy Business

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