Onion Facts

Onion Facts

1. Everybody who has ever had to cut up a lot of strong onions knows what happens. It is literally a job that makes all of us cry. That is because onions contain sulfur, and when youcut the onion sulfur is released into the air. This airborne sulfur reacts with the moisture in your eyes and creates a mild form of sulfuric acid! Your eyes tear up to flush this substance from your eyes.

2. Native Americans ate wild onions and the Pilgrims brought onions with them on the Mayflower. Onions were eaten at the first Thanksgiving dinner.

3. After slicing onions, wash your hands in cold water, then rub them with salt or vinegar. The salt or vinegar will remove onion smells from your hands.

4. If you need only half of an onion, use the top half. The root will stay fresh longer in the refrigerator. Our word "onion” comes from the Latin "unio" meaning one or unity, because an onion grows as a single bulb.

5. In ancient Egypt, the onion was a symbol of eternity because it is a circle-within-a-circle. The Pharaoh Cheops paid workers who built the Great Pyramid in onions, garlic, and parsley and onions were painted on the walls of the pyramids. Mummies were even buried with onions.

6. Onions are a good source of Vitamin C and fiber. They are low in fat and calories. The antioxidants found in onions help prevent high blood pressure and some forms of cancer.

7. Onions are a popular vegetable. Worldwide we grow about 50 million tons of onions a year! The average person eats about 13.7 pounds of onions a year. In the United States we chomp down about 18.6 pounds each per year, while in Libya, the average person eats 66.8 pounds of onions in a year!

8. Acne treatment. This one is rich: those magical onion enzymes are also effective for “removing acne,” simply mix crushed onion slices with water and apply this mixture to your face. If your face is made of metal, it should also give you a nice polish. Perhaps a pair of goggles would be a good idea in this case, since I don’t think that a slice of bread is going to do you much good.

9. Onions can be grown in three ways: Bulbs, transplants, or from seeds. 

10. Onions are ranked 6th among the world’s leading vegetable crops. Onions provide not only flavor but also health-promoting phytochemicals and nutrients. Select onions that feel dry and solid, with no soft spots or sprouts. Store onions in a cool, dry space away from bright light.

11. Onions can be grown in three ways: Bulbs, transplants, or from seeds. 

12. The white onion bulb and the green stalk are both edible. 

13.  Humans have been cultivating onions since 3500 B.C. 

14. Green onions are also known as scallions.

15. The three colors of onions sold in most grocery stores are Yellow, red, and white.