Wild onions were probably eaten commonly by our prehistoric ancestors and there is evidence to suggest they were cultivated 5000 years ago, so it’s safe to say that the odiferous bulb is a long-standing family favourite.
“Dice up a medium onion” is the first line to many a recipe because onions add layers of flavour, colour and even texture to any dish.
But it’s not just the flavour that gave onions their popularity over time — onion is an easy crop to grow, stores well and transports easily. Archaeologists and historians have also found references in many cultures to the use of onions for medicinal purposes, even religious reasons.
The supermarkets would have you believe there’s but a handful of onion varieties available these days, but in the nursery world of heirloom seeds and seedlings there is a whole rainbow of cultivars to choose from.
Onions belong to the extremely diverse Allium genus that also includes leeks, shallots, garlic and chives.
Onion label
Common name: Onion
Botanical name: Allium cepa Cepa group
Family: Alliaceae
Aspect & soil: Sun; deep well-drained soil
Best climate: Cool to subtropical
Habit: Biennial bulb grown as an annual
Propagation: Seed, seedling (called sets)
この記事は Good Organic Gardening の July - August 2021 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
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この記事は Good Organic Gardening の July - August 2021 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
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