Vegetable
Onion
Onion is a valued vegetable prized for its pungent, sweet, aromatic character and versatility across roasting, steaming, sautéing, pickling, and raw preparations. Cultivar, harvest stage, and handling strongly influence texture, flavour, and suitability for different dishes. From home gardens to global supply chains, onion anchors cuisines worldwide in soups, salads, sides, and preserves. Understanding cultivar, provenance, and grade helps match the right product to fresh eating, cooking, or processing.
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Breeds, cuts & preparations
Variety
Source
Provenance
Preparation
CommonCharacteristic
Grading systems
United States — USDA
US No. 1 · US No. 2
History
Early cultivation of onion spread with settled agriculture across temperate and tropical growing regions.
Regional cuisines developed distinct preparations, preservation methods, and cultivar preferences for onion.
Market gardening, rail transport, and cold storage expanded commercial onion beyond local harvest seasons.
Hybrid cultivars, greenhouse production, and global logistics made onion a year-round staple in retail and food service.