WHAT IS A WHITE ONION?
The most innocent looking of the Allium cepa family, these baseball size bulbs have thinner skins and are more fragile then their pungent cousins. Vidalias in particular are one of the more popular varieties. Whites in general are considered to be “sweet” due to their higher sugar content. And thinly sliced white onions structurally hold up a bit better then yellows.
WHY ARE WHITE ONIONS GOOD FOR YOU?
Onions in general are extremely healthy vegetables with anti-carcinogenic, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties. So white onions are a safe choice. However when comparing white onions to their red and yellow cousins, whites are not only more mild in flavor but in health benefits as well. Whites have a tiny bit more fiber and sugar. But they have slightly less anti-oxidant, anti-carcinogenic and blood thinning (polysulfides) properties compared to yellows and reds.
WHEN ARE WHITE ONIONS IN SEASON?
Like all other onions they can have 2 growing seasons, resulting in a Spring and a Fall harvest.
HOW SHOULD WHITE ONIONS BE STORED?
Whites don’t keep quite as well as yellows since they’re a bit more fragile. So you can try to store your uncut, white onions in a cool, dark place with good air circulation if you plan to use them in under a week. But a drawer in your refrigerator isn’t out of the question if you need more time. However onions are still onions a.k.a. can make other foods in your crisper drawer taste like an onion. Another option is to freeze them (after peeling and chopping them up) in a zip lock bag for up to 6 months. Make sure to date the outside of your bag so you don’t forget when you froze them!
WHAT IS THE PROPER WAY TO CUT A WHITE ONION?
Click here to see!
WHY IS RUSSIAN ARCHITECTURE FILLED WITH GIANT, WHITE ONIONS?
Russian orthodox churches are famous in particular for their onion domes. Like a short, fat man they are wider then they are tall. It is thought that this architectural style was introduced during the reign of Ivan the Terrible. Some scholars posit that these domes were inspired by Muslim temple architecture that Ivan embraced after his victory over the Khanate of Kazan (for which he built St. Basil’s cathedral).