Have you ever asked yourself, “Is onion a fruit or a vegetable?” It’s something that a lot of people think about!
But here is the good news, onion is a vegetable!
So why the confusion?
The Onion: Fruit vs. Vegetable Conundrum
Every now and then, people think onions are a fruit instead of a vegetable because you plant them to get onions. But fruits have seeds, and onions don’t, so onions are vegetables!
Also, culinary definitions classify foods by how they taste or how we use them in cooking. Whereas botanical definitions classify foods according to how they are structured and reproductive traits.
Let’s dive into the botany of whether or not an onion is a fruit or vegetable!
Onion Fruit vs. Vegetable: A Botanical Breakdown
So what is the difference between fruits and vegetables? Here’s the science!
Fruit
Botanically, fruit is the mature ovary of a flowering plant (with, usually, seeds) plus whatever other parts of the flower are adjacent to the ovary. Fruits are classified into two main categories:
- Fleshy Fruits: develop from a juicy ovary, for instance apples and berries
- Dry Fruits: develop from a dry ovary, such as nuts and grains
Vegetables
IBotanically, vegetables are edible parts of plants that do not involve the reproductive structures of the plant (ova, that is the ovary, in fruit). This includes:
- Roots (carrots)
- Stems (celery)
- Leaves (lettuce)
Any and all of the non-reproductive parts of the plant
So, an onion is a vegetable because it is a bulb which is non-reproductive part of the structure of a vegetable!
What Part Of The Onion Plant Do We Eat?
An onion is a type of bulb, which is the part that’s underground.
The bulb does the work of storing food during the time the plant is dormant (like you need food to grow each spring), so it has just enough to come back when spring arrives!
How long it takes an onion to grow depends on the type of onion.
Onion bulbs have a papery skin and roots that we remove before we eat them, and if you let them grow, they may flower.
While no part of the onion is toxic, we generally eat the fleshy leaves of the bulb. When you cut these, they look like concentric rings. Who doesn’t love an onion ring?!
Sometimes onions sprout green things on top, which are perfectly edible, too!
Is It Okay To Eat Onion Seeds?
Oh yes, absolutely, they are delicious!
Onion seeds are also referred to as nigella seeds, or kalonji. I use onion seeds every time I make naan bread!
Onion seeds and onions have been touted for their health benefits for centuries. Some of these benefits are:
- Lowers cholesterol
- Regulates blood pressure
- Helpful in digestion/remedy for upset stomach
- Helpful for the bones
Why not try putting some onion seeds into your bread or sprinkle them on soups or salads for a little extra healthy boost!
Onions: A Member Of The Allium Family
Nobody can miss the distinct taste of Allium family (Alliaceae) of plants, and they can be relatively vague in their usage and distinction. Beyond the onion, other common members of the family are:
- Garlic: which has strong flavored cloves in cooking and traditional medicine
- Chives: which has a milder onion flavor that includes fresh use, as an ornamental decoration
- Leeks: typically offers a mild, sweet onion flavor in soups and stews or as a side dish.
Onions (Allium cepa) are originally from Central Asia and have been grown for thousands of years in cooking all over the world.
Major cultivars of onions include:
- Common Onions: Yellows, White, and Red
- Spring Onions/Scallions: onions gathered early
- Shallots: are mild onions
- Pearl Onions: which are small onions
- Egyptian Onions/Walking Onions: perennial self-propagating onions.
The Versatile Onion: A Culinary Workhorse
Onions are cherished around the globe not just for their many cooking applications but also for their ability to deepen and balance flavors.
There are three main varieties of onions for cooking:
Yellow Onions
This is the most standard variety of onion. Yellow onions have a stronger, pungent flavor. They can be sautéed, caramelized, or eaten raw in salads and salsas. Yellow onions can deepen flavors in soups, stews, and sauces.
Red Onions
This variety of onion has a milder and somewhat sweet flavor than yellow onions. It is best to eat red onions raw, in salads or sandwiches. Use them as a garnish because of their color and mildness. You can also pickle red onions.
White Onions
White onions tend to have a sharper flavor than yellow or red onions. They show up in salsas, salads, and stir fry dishes.
Onions: A Global Superstar
Whether they’re raw, sizzled up, or caramelized, onions are an absolute must-have in every kitchen on every continent.
In French cuisine, onions come as a major component of mirepoix (with carrots and celery—as in “flavor base”).
Onions are also a rich part of Indian curries, where onions cook with spices and other aromatics to yield flavor bases, called masalas.
Onions provide a rich and aromatic backdrop in vegetarian and meat-based dishes.
Unlocking The Nutritional Power Of Onions
One of the great things about onions is that they are low in calories but contain many vitamins and minerals that are important to support your well-being, including support for your:
- Immune System
- Heart Health
- Digestive Health
Let’s see what all makes up these potent little foods:
- Vitamin C: It matters for immunity, skin health, and antioxidant defense
- Vitamin B6: It plays a role in metabolism, brain development, and immunity.
- Folate (Vitamin B9): Folate is extremely important for cell division and DNA, particularly during pregnancy.
- Potassium: This mineral is an important electrolyte to help regulate blood pressure and fluid balance during bodily processes.
- Manganese: Manganese is necessary for healthy metabolism, bones, and antioxidant functions in the body.
Onions are also full of antioxidants such as quercetin and flavonoids that work to help neutralize free radicals in the body.
Onions have anti-inflammatory properties that could help provide benefit to inflammatory-related conditions such as arthritis.nd other inflammatory disorders.
Fun Facts About Onions: Beyond The Tears
Guinness Book Of World Records’ Heaviest Onion
The world-record for the largest onion ever weighs a hefty 19 lbs and 12.4 oz (8.97kg) ! That’s enough to bring a tear to your eye! This onion was grown in 2023 by Gareth Griffin in the United Kingdom.
Ancient Egypt
Ancient Egyptians associated the onion’s hollow circles with eternal life, so they were highly regarded by ancient Egyptians.
So much so that they were included in the burials of pharaohs and inside mummies!
Ancient Egyptians believed that the strong smell emanating from the onion could revive the dead while they were on their way to their next life.
Papery Money?
Did you know that the Ancient Egyptians used onions in place of currency to compensate those workers who built the pyramids. Can you believe it?
Onions also served as currency in the Middle Ages!
Bug Bite Balm
Onions have antifungal and antibacterial properties. The juices from an onion actually soothe and relieve bug bites.
Next bug season, don’t forget that you can snag an onion as a fast and cheap home remedy for bug bites.
Tear-Inducing Chemistry
When you cut an onion, it releases sulfur compounds into the air that interact with tears to make a mild sulfuric acid. The irritant of the sulfuric acid makes the eye teary in a defense mechanism to wash out the irritant.
Don’t Cry For Me
Curious about how to prevent your eyes from crying when you cut an onion? Here are some methods:
Chill the onion before cutting
Cut the onion under a stream of running water
And for some off the wall ideas:
Light a candle while cutting
Chew gum
Keep a piece of wet paper towel next to where you are chopping
Put a small piece of bread in your mouth while chopping
Oh La La
Onions have historically been noted as an aphrodisiac.
They are mentioned in the love lore of the Egyptians, Greeks, French, and Hindus.
Perhaps serve French Onion Soup next date night?
Mass Production
Onions are one of the most widely cultivated vegetables in the world. China is the largest producer, followed by India, and the United States.