Onions are so worth the tears while slicing them and rightly so. Packed with nutrients and antioxidants, (not to mention their culinary versatility) and unique flavour, it might be a good idea to grow your own. Experts share some top tips.
Onions add depth and character to any dish and will bring a tear to your eye. But an onion is more than just a vegetable, it’s a secret weapon for culinary success with health benefits as well.
According to experts in a Health For Mzansi article, onions are one important vegetable that any household need to have, and it is even more advisable to grow them in your garden because it is required daily in your pots.
Why are onions good for you?
Tshwane-based plant pathologist Sibongile Jiyane explains that yellow onions have a strong flavour due to their high sulphur and quercetin content. Quercetin is a type of flavanol found in other fruits and vegetables like berries, apples, and plums. Flavonols may have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which may provide health benefits.
Different types of yellow onions have varying nutritional values, but they are generally rich in nutrients.
“Flavanols have many potential benefits for human health, including reducing the risk of cancer, improving immune function, relieving urinary issues, reducing pain from bee stings, controlling blood sugar levels, and preventing tooth decay and mouth infections.”
While flavanol-rich plants and fruits may have many health benefits, they could be toxic if consumed in excess, warns Jiyane.
From soil to the pot
According to horticultural scientist Marina Jordaan, based in Cradock in the Eastern Cape, growing onions is all about timing and location. Planting the right type of onion for your specific area, at the right time of year, is key to success.
“With the right conditions, they can bloom anywhere in South Africa. Short-day onions are best suited for the summer months, as they thrive in longer days and warmer weather. Intermediate onions, on the other hand, need cooler temperatures and shorter days of autumn and winter. Yellow onions, being short-day varieties, can be grown all year round in the country’s many climates,” says Jordaan.
Read more on Health For Mzansi about the best time to plant yellow onions, the soil type, watering and much more.
Read the full story here. It was first published on Health For Mzansi and written by Vateka Halile.
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