Gryphon's Aeire Food Fact - Sweet Onions

SWEET ONION SAMPLER 

Sweet onions come in several varieties. Here are some of the ones you 
may find in your markets. 

AmeriSweet --This fairly recent variety of sweet onion comes from Michigan. 
It was developed specifically so that consumers would be able to have fresh 
sweet onions in the fall. AmeriSweets are available in September and October. 
The skin of these onions is usually thicker than that of its spring-harvested 
relatives. 

Fresno Red -- This niche onion is grown in the San Joaquin Valley in California. 
Because of limited production, it's available mainly in the Western United 
States, from May to mid-June. 

Maui -- Maui onions, with their subtle, sweet flavor, are grown on the 
Hawaiian island of the same name. The season is long, running from 
mid-February until late November or sometimes December. 
Mauis come from a variety of onion that originated in Texas. 
These onions are hand-picked. 

OSO (oh-so) -- These sweet, mild onions from Chile are usually the first 
to appear in supermarkets; they are available from January until May. 
OSOs tend to contain more sugar than other sweet onions. While most sweet 
onions have at least six percent sugar, OSO onions can have up to 15 
percent sugar in certain seasons. The onions are easy to digest and 
maintain their shape well when cooked. 

Sweet Imperial -- These California onions are available from late April 
through June. To be labeled "Sweet Imperial," an onion must have a globe 
shape and be yellow, very sweet and at least 2 1/2 inches in diameter. 

Texas 1015 SuperSweet -- The name of this onion comes from its suggested 
planting date, October 15. These thin-skinned, jumbo-sized onions often 
can weigh more than a pound. They are available from mid-April through May. 
Because these onions have a single center, they are ideal for making onion 
rings. 

Vidalia -- This variety is named after the first Georgia city where it was 
sold in the farmers' market. In 1986, state lawmakers passed an act that 
limits Vidalia onion production to a 20-county area in southeast Georgia. 
Moreover, because the onion is patented, onions produced in other states 
cannot be marketed as "Vidalia." These onions are sweet and mild with a 
light golden bulb and a white interior. They are available fresh in a 
variety of sizes from April to July, although you often can find them into 
October from suppliers who store them in a controlled atmosphere. 

Walla Walla -- These onions were originally grown off the coast of Italy 
on the island of Corsica. Now, however, growers around Walla Walla, 
Washington, bring us these sweet, mild onions from mid-June through August. 
The name comes from the Native American word for "many waters." 
Walla Wallas are limited to a specific production area in southeast 
Washington and northeast Oregon; only onions from this area can legally 
use the name. 

Still want to know more? One great Web site is www.sweetonionsource.com; 
it provides information on a variety of sweet onions, as well as recipes, 
tips and mail-order sources


Displayed on: Thursday - 24 May 12 - 05:37:03