Top 25 Amazing Facts About Onion | Amazing Facts 4U
- Onion is a type of vegetable that belongs to the family Amaryllidaceae. This plant originated from central Asia but it can be found around the world today.
- Onions are one of the oldest foods known to the human race. Onions are mentioned in the Bible. Cultivation began in Asia around 3500 B.C. The Romans took onions to Europe when they made their way across the continent and the Pilgrims brought onions to the US.
- Onion was worshiped in the ancient Egypt and these plants were inevitable part of burial rituals and tombs of most rulers.
- Egyptians believed that onion possesses magic powers and that it can ensure success in the afterlife. Onion was also used as currency along with garlic.
- Onion was used as diuretic, to improve digestion, and to ensure good health of heart, eyes, and joints in the 6th century BC in India.
- Onion was used as strength-booster during the Olympic Games in Greece in the 1st century AD.
- Currently the largest producers of onions are China, India, United States and Egypt. The country that eats the most onions per capita is Libya, where each person eats about 30 Kg of onions every year.
- There are 27 different types of onions. All onions grow under the ground. Onion grows in temperate regions, on the sandy and well drained soils.
- For onion to grow optimally , the soil should be moist, but not too wet. If the soil is too wet, the onions will rot in the ground.
- Onions come in many shapes and colors. Most popular ones are yellow onions, white onions, brown onions and red onions. Yellow onion is the most popular being 75% of the world’s production.
- Onion develops root, bulb and green leaves. Bulb is edible part of the onion and it consists of tightly packed leaves. Outer leaves are dry and firm. They protect inner, moist and soft leaves.
- Six to eight months after planting, bulb ceases production of new leaves. Nutrients from the leaves descend to the bulb, which becomes ready for the harvest.
- All types of onions are divided in three groups based on the color: yellow, red and white onions. Onion can reach from 1 to 4.5 inches in diameter. Largest onion ever grown weighted around 5 kg.
- Store your onion in old nylons and they will last for six months. If you take a stocking and put your onion in it, tying a knot after each onion will keep it isolated from others lasting much longer.
- There are countless ways to enjoy onions. They can be baked, boiled, grilled, fried, roasted, powdered or eaten raw in salads.
- Onions are filled with complex sugars that keep our metabolism healthy, vitamins, beta carotene, folate and they have no fat. One average sized onion has 30 calories.
- Onions are low in calories, high in calcium and high in vitamin C. They are 90% water, 8% carbs and 1.7% fiber!
- Onions are among the main dietary sources of fructans which are so-called prebiotic fibers as the beneficial bacteria in the gut can use them for fuel. This leads to the formation of short-chain fatty acids, such as butyrate, which may improve colon health, reduce inflammation, and reduce the risk of colon cancer.
- Onion is rich source of manganese, potassium and phosphorus.
- Cutting of onion is always associated with crying due to release of sulfur during the process of slicing which creates sulfuric acid in combination with moisture from the eyes. This acid induces tears to eliminate it.
- Crying can be minimized by cutting onions under the cold running water or splashing a little white vinegar on the cutting board.
- Sliced onion can sooth insect bites and burns on the skin due to anti-inflammatory properties of onion enzymes. When combined with crushed aspirin and little water, slices of onion can be also used in treatment of warts.
- Quercetin, phenols and flavonoids isolated from onion have anti-microbial , anti-oxidant and anti-cancer properties.
- Crushed onion can be used for polishing of silverware and other metal objects.
- While onions are a healthy component of the diet of humans, they can be deadly for some animals, including dogs, cats, horses and monkeys. The main culprits are sulfoxides and sulfides, which can induce Heinz body anemia due to damage within the red blood cells. Make sure not to feed onion to your pet.
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