Scientific Classification 

Kingdom: Plantae 

Class: Tracheophytes

Class: Angiosperms 

Class: Monocots 

Order: Asparagales 

Family: Amaryllidaceae 

Subfamily: Allioidee 

Genus: Allium 

Species: Allium cepa

About Onions 

Onion is native to southwestern Asia nit now is grown everywhere in the world, mainly in temperate zones

About Onions

• Onion is native to southwestern Asia nit now is grown everywhere in the world, mainly in temperate zones
• Onions are valued for their flavor and are used widely in cooking but are low in nutrients. They add flavor to dishes such as stews, soups, salads and are also served as a cooked vegetable
• The plant has one or more leafless flower stalks that reach a height of 75 – 180 cm, which terminates in a spherical cluster of greenish-white flowers 
• Onions are grown for their edible bulbs, the concentric leaf bases of the developing plant swell to form the underground edible bulb 
• Onions are very hardy and can survive in a wide range of growing conditions. The bulbs vary in size, shape, color, and pungency
•  Warmer climates generally produce onions with a milder, sweet flavor than in other climates. The onion’s characteristic pungency is because of the sulphur rich volatile oil it contains, the release of this oil during peeling or chopping brings tears to the eyes

Onions in the market 

• Most onions are slightly dried before marketing which makes their skins dry and paper-thin. Onions are also available in various processed forms 
• Dehydrated onion products are sold which include ground, granulated, minced, chopped, and sliced forms
• Frozen onions are available chopped or whole and bottled onion juice is sold for use as a flavoring 
• Onion powder is made by grinding dehydrated onions

Commercial varieties of onions 

• Onions which are globe-shaped onions that may be white, yellow, or red have a strong flavor is being used mainly for soups, stews, and many other dishes 
• Spanish onions are large, juicy, and sweet which are yellow or red in color and their flavor is mild and is used raw and sliced for salads and garnish 
• Shallots are small, angular variety of onion, which is typically white with red skin and is mild in flavor
• Italian onions are flat, red in color, and have a mild flavor, which is used raw for salads, sandwiches, and garnishes. There are many other varieties of onions 

History of onions 

• Onions were probably known in India, China, and the Middle East before recorded history.
• Ancient Egyptians regarded onion as a symbol of the universe and its name is derived from the Latin unus which means one 
• The British were introduced to onions by the Romans
• In the New World, Native Americans added a highly pungent wild onion to their stews
• In folk medicines, onions were used for colds, animal bites, burns, earaches, and warts 

Benefits of onions 

• Onions contain oxidants and compounds that fight inflammation, reduce cholesterol levels which helps reduce heart disease risk 
• Onions contain cancer-fighting compounds, eating vegetables of Allium genus like onion and garlic has been considered to lower risk of certain cancers like stomach and colorectal
• Onions give healthy and strong bones, and onions contain calcium. Calcium means having strong bones 
• Onions improve immunity, the antioxidants present in onions can help strengthen immunity
• Onions are great for those with respiratory problems, onion is an anti-allergen and in most people, allergies are the main reason for respiratory problems. eating onion has a relaxing effect on the muscles of the isolated trachea which helps asthma patients breathe easily 
• Onions improve sexual health, if a man is dealing with erectile dysfunction then they should eat onions because according to a study published in the journal Biomolecules, onions can help in correcting that and also helps in increasing the level of testosterone in men 
• Onions improve oral health, thanks to the vitamin C in onions it is very good for oral hygiene 
• Onions help to maintain healthy hair, many ayurvedic hair products use onion juice for hair growth. Due to the antibacterial properties, onion helps in keeping dandruff and lice away from the scalp
• Onions give glowing skin, onions are packed with vitamin A, C, and K which are excellent for flawless skin. These vitamins not only help to get rid of pigmentation but protects from harmful UV rays as well
• Onions help in easing menopause symptoms, consuming raw onion helps in easing postmenopause symptoms due to the presence of calcium