Content
Red onions differ from regular onions not only in color, but also in taste. It is not so spicy, but sweetish and aromatic. This allows the red varieties to be used in salads and other vegetable appetizers. Other differences are related to the characteristics of cultivation and price.
Difference between red and regular onions
Red onions, which are also called purple, sweet, Crimean or Yalta, differ from ordinary ones not only in appearance. They have different chemical composition and taste. Each crop has its own characteristics of cultivation and use.
Appearance
First of all, purple onions differ from regular ones in appearance. Classic Yalta bulbs have a flat-round shape. Although there are also many red varieties with oval or elongated bulbs, i.e. the same as for ordinary onion crops.
The main difference is related to coloring. Dry scales (the first 1-2) of the Yalta variety have a rich dark purple color. The juicy scales are pure white, however, their outer side is also purple. Due to this, the section shows alternating light and dark stripes.
The colored vegetable looks beautiful when serving the main course, as well as in salads and other appetizers.
Taste and aroma
The differences between yellow and red varieties are also related to taste and aroma. The spiciness of red onions is less than that of regular onions. This indicator depends on the variety and growing conditions. The taste of red varieties is sweetish, salad-type. The aroma is typical onion. Therefore, red root vegetables, unlike ordinary ones, are more often used fresh in salads.
Properties and composition
The differences between blue onions and regular ones are also related to their chemical composition. In general, it is the same - both types of plants contain vitamins, minerals and other valuable compounds:
- magnesium;
- potassium;
- iodine;
- sulfur;
- iron;
- cobalt;
- vitamins A, P, C, group B.
An important difference is that red onions also contain anthocyanins. These are organic substances that provide the characteristic purple color. They are also present in many other plants of the same color range, for example, in plums, blueberries, cherries and others.
At the same time, the energy value of red and regular root vegetables is approximately the same. There is no difference in calorie content. Per 100 g of fresh pulp the figure is 41-45 kcal. There are also no differences in nutritional value:
- proteins – 1.1 g;
- fats – 0.1 g;
- carbohydrates – 9.3 g.
Growing rules
If we talk about such an important indicator as the characteristics of cultivation, then red onions also have several important differences in comparison with ordinary onions. Bright varieties, like the others, are grown from seeds or sets. But they are more thermophilic and require regular watering and fertilizing.
Red onions are grown in the Krasnodar region, the North Caucasus and other southern regions.The crop is cultivated less frequently in the middle zone, and even less often in regions with short summers and extremely frosty winters (Ural, Siberia).
One of the important differences between red onions is their demanding growing conditions.
If we talk about the features of agricultural technology, we can highlight several rules for growing. For red varieties, the following requirements apply:
- Watering should be regular - at least once every 10 days. During dry periods, water is given at least once a week.
- Fertilizing is applied 2-3 times per season: the first time two weeks after germination, the second time closer to the beginning of July, the third time 2-3 weeks later. For good yields, complex mineral compositions and organic matter are used.
- Regularly loosen the soil and do weeding.
- Plantings are also mulched to protect the bulbs from frost and the soil from drying out.
Features of application
Blue, regular and white onions differ from each other not only in taste, but also in their application. In this regard, it is the red as well as the white variety that wins. They are great for various salads and are widely used fresh.
Yellow
The difference between the regular yellow varieties is that they all have a more or less pungent taste. The composition contains a large amount of phytoncides and essential oils. They provide a pungent and even bitter taste. However, it completely disappears during even short stewing, frying or boiling.
It is not recommended to use raw onions for salads. They will make the taste too spicy and may cause stomach upset. To avoid this, it is recommended to cut pieces of the desired size and pour boiling water over them for 1-2 minutes, then drain them in a colander and thoroughly drain all the water.
Due to the high content of substances that destroy viruses and bacteria, yellow varieties are most often used to treat respiratory diseases, sore throat, and stomatitis. For example, onions can be crushed in a blender, extract juice, and carefully squeeze out the cake. The liquid is then mixed with sugar, a little water is added and taken several times a day to treat coughs and sore throats.
White
White onions belong to salad
Its differences are due to the fact that it is less spicy. Therefore, white onions are used in salads, to serve the main dish (for example, fish). It can be used for frying, boiling and stewing, as well as for making pickles and marinating.
Red
Red onions also differ from yellow ones in terms of application. It is often used for salads. Moreover, unlike a conventional culture, Yalta can be used fresh without preliminary blanching (keeping in boiling water for several minutes).
Another area of application is cosmetic. Red onion juice can be easily obtained at home using a blender or meat grinder. It is mixed with honey or other ingredients and rubbed into the scalp to strengthen the hair follicles. This measure prevents hair loss.
Which bow is better to choose?
There are quite a few differences between red and regular onions. Therefore, it is not always possible to say clearly which one is better. Yellow varieties have the following advantages:
- more intense spicy taste;
- can be used to treat viral and bacterial diseases;
- affordable price;
- Suitable for pickles and marinating.
Red onions have their own advantages:
- less pungent, sweetish taste;
- pleasant aroma;
- attractive coloring;
- great for salads;
- can be used in cosmetology.
It is with these qualities that differences in its application are associated. Red onions are great for salads. It can also be used as part of various masks to strengthen hair.
Which onion is healthier: red or regular?
The differences between red onions and regular yellow onions are due to the fact that in general the former is more useful. Eating fresh vegetables provides benefits to the body, which is manifested in the following:
- healing of wounds, pustules;
- bactericidal effect;
- improvement of metabolic processes due to vitamins and minerals;
- reducing the level of intoxication;
- improved digestion by increasing stomach acidity;
- destruction of worms;
- reduction of swelling;
- skin rejuvenation;
- stimulating hair growth.
Red onion is healthier than regular onion
Why are red onions more expensive than regular onions?
The differences between colored and regular onions are also related to price. Red varieties are almost always more expensive than onion varieties (even in the fall season). The main reason is due to the fact that in Russia red onions are grown in significantly smaller volumes. Therefore, there are additional costs associated with the following factors:
- transportation;
- customs duty;
- exchange rate difference.
Red onions are more demanding to care for. This further increases costs.On average, red varieties are more expensive than yellow varieties. The figure is at least twice as high.
Conclusion
Red onions differ from regular onions in appearance, taste, and cultivation characteristics. There is also a noticeable difference in price. Red onions are healthier than yellow ones. Therefore, they can be used equally with each other. If you have diseases of the digestive system, it is better to use it not fresh, but in heat-treated form.
