What is Onion?
Onion is one of the oldest known plants, having been cultivated at least as early as 3000 B.C. when Egyptians used onion and garlic as offerings to their gods. In other recorded history, an inscription on the Great Pyramid of Cheops describes the amounts of onions, garlic and radishes that were used to pay slaves for their labor on the pyramid in 2500 B.C.
Throughout time, onions’ popularity and relative hardiness encouraged the cultivation of many varieties ranging from the common white onion to yellow, red, sweet and other types. In the spice industry, the most common variety is grown specifically for dehydration and exhibits a white color, large size and high solid content. California is a major global producer of this type of onion where it grows to a height of several feet with a large cluster of greenish-white flowers at the top of each plant.
What is it used for today?
Dehydrated onion in powdered, granulated or minced forms is one of the most common ingredients in pre-mixed seasonings. It is often paired with garlic in spice blends for vegetables, meats and seafood dishes, or with dairy-based ingredients such as in sour cream and onion flavored potato chips or refrigerated dips.
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