Onion Facts
Onion Facts
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| Interesting Onion Facts: |
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| Onion can reach 1 to 4.5 inches in diameter. Heaviest onion ever recorded had 10 pounds and 14 ounces of weight. |
| Onion develops root, bulb and green leaves. Bulb is edible part of the onion and it consists of tightly packed leaves. Outer leaves are dry and firm. They protect inner, moist and soft leaves. |
| 6 to 8 months after planting, bulb ceases production of new leaves. Nutrients from the leaves descend to the bulb, which becomes ready for the harvest. |
| Onion can be rounded, egg-like or torpedo-shaped. All types of onions are divided in three groups based on the color: yellow, red and white onions. |
| Onion is rich source of vitamin C, manganese, potassium and phosphorus. It has low caloric value and high content of dietary fibers. |
| Onions can be consumed raw (in the form of salads), cooked or pickled. |
| Cutting of onion is always associated with crying. Onion releases sulfur during the process of slicing which creates sulfuric acid in combination with moisture from the eyes. This acid induces painful sensation and eyes produce tears to eliminate it. |
| Onion was worshiped in the ancient Egypt. These plants were inevitable part of burial rituals and tombs of most rulers are covered with pictures of onion. Egyptians believed that onion possesses magic powers and that it can ensure success in the afterlife. Onion was even used as currency along with parsley and garlic. |
| Onion was used as diuretic, to improve digestion, and to ensure good health of heart, eyes, and joints in the 6th century BC in India. |
| Onion was used as strength-booster during the Olympic Games in Greece in the 1st century AD. |
| Around 50 million tons of onions are produced each year. Average person consumes 13.7 pounds of onion annually. Onions are very popular in Libya where each person consumes 66.8 pounds of onion per year. |
| Sliced onion can sooth insect bites and burns on the skin. When combined with crushed aspirin and little water, slices of onion can be also used in treatment of warts. |
| Quercetin, phenols and flavonoids isolated from onion have anti-microbial and anti-cancer properties. They also show beneficial effects in treatment of cataract and cardiovascular diseases. |
| Crushed onion can be used for polishing of silverware and other metal objects. |
| Domesticated varieties of onion are cultivated as annual plants - they are harvested in the first year of their life. |
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