The Difference between Yellow, White, Red Onions and Green onion

The Difference between Yellow, White, Red Onions and Green onion

Onions belong to the Allium family

If you’ve ever been in the grocery store buying onions Or cooking and couldn’t figure out which color of onion to buy or use inyour recipe, you’re not alone. … dont’ worry. There are many onions out there, each with their different purposes, but typically with the same health benefits. Although there are many types onions, the general rules for them are as follows.

Yellow Onions

Yellow onions have a yellow-brown papery skin on the outside and a white flesh. Yellow onions are the most popular cooking onions because they add excellent flavor to most stews, soups, and meat dishes

Eyes start to water when someone is cooking with yellow onion is due to an effect of higher sulfur content. Because the yellow onion has such high sulfur content, it has a more pungent flavor and smell, which typically makes it too strong to eat raw unless there are other ingredients to counter-balance the flavor.

White Onions

White onions have an all-white skin. They have a slightly milder flavor than the yellow onion and are a great substitute if you’re in need of an onion flavor, but don’t want it to be too powerful. White onions are commonly used in Mexican cuisines.

Red Onions

You’re most likely to see red onions in non-cooked dishes, such as salads and sandwiches. Of the different colored onions, the red onion is the most mild, sweet onion. Red onions have the purplish-red skin which color is layered though it’s white flesh.

Green onion

Green onions are a young bulb onion with long leaves that are pulled from the ground before the bulb is fully mature. Commonly known as green onion, spring onion, or salad onion. Because they will not dominate the flavor of a dish, they are commonly used in salads, sandwiches, soups and stir-fry dishes, in Chinese cuisine. Green onions can be eaten raw or cooked.

How to Pick a Good Onion

In general, when you’re choosing onions in the store, the best ones will be firm, have a crackly outer skin, and have a mild scent. Decaying onions will give off distinct foul odor and should be discarded immediately. Any onions that have soft spots or feel less than firm should be discarded.

On another note, onions tend to store better in a slightly cooler, darker area, although the fridge is not recommended except for green onion.

Watch out for health benefits of onion in the coming post