WHAT ARE CHIVES?
This herb is in the same plant family as onions and garlic. The name itself comes from the Latin word for onion. While not as strong in flavor, these thin, green stems are a popular last minute addition to many dishes. Even the purple flowers that blossom from their tips are edible and make for a beautiful garnish. This versatile flavor isn’t just for savory protein dishes. It can also give a twist to traditionally sweet recipes such as pancakes!
WHY ARE CHIVES GOOD FOR YOU?
Usually consumed raw, the health benefits are thought include helping to prevent cancer and osteoporosis. It’s rich in vitamin K, choline and folate. And compared to other types of onions, they’re denser and so per ounce have a higher nutritional content.
WHEN ARE CHIVES IN SEASON?
These are best harvested in late Spring however are available year-round in most supermarkets. In the winter their stems die off, leaving a bulb underground that will flourish when the weather warms back up.
HOW SHOULD CHIVES BE STORED?
Store them in a slightly damp paper towel in a bag in your refrigerator for up to a week. They can be frozen as well for up to 6 months. Make sure to sell them in a airtight bag to prevent freezer-burn. Chop them in advance for ease of use. One clever way to do this is to chop up the stems, and put them into ice cube trays with extra virgin olive oil.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CHIVES, ONIONS AND SCALLIONS?
Being cousins, these 3 allium ingredients are very similar to each other. In cuisine onions are treated as a vegetable while chives are used as an herb. A vegetable is any plant that is edible versus herbs which are used to impart flavor.
