Friday, October 8, 2010

What To Know About The History Of The Onion

Onions have been actively cultivated for at least 5000 years. It is recorded that they have been eaten in Egypt since 3500 BC and the Sumerians ate them since 2500 BC. It is possible that they have been a part of the human diet since prehistoric times.

Onions were the symbol of eternity in Egypt. They buried them in the tombs of their Pharaohs. They envisioned the circle of eternal life within the anatomy of the onion. They painted them inside the pyramids and they were used as a funeral offering. They were even used inside mummies. They have long been used for their antiseptic qualities, and the Egyptians believed this magical quality would help the Pharaoh in the afterlife.

The ancient Romans and Greeks used them liberally in their diet. They baked them, boiled them, and fried them. This simple vegetable was also used in soups. They have always been easy to grow and cheap to come by. They were often an easy food for the poor to get. They did not eat raw onions, as that was thought to cause headaches.

The Greeks used them medicinally as well as for food. Athletes would eat several pounds of them, drink the juice from them, and rub them on their bodies before competitions. The Romans took them with them on their campaigns to Germany and England. Pliny the Elder recorded the fact that onions and cabbages were grown extensively in Pompeii. They were used to heal dog bites, mouth sores, vision problems, toothache, lumbago and to help one fall to sleep. One of the world’s first cookbooks, written by the Roman Apicius, had many references to onions.

The diet in the Middle Ages in Europe consisted mainly of three vegetables: onions, beans, and cabbage. They were a food for both the poor and the rich. They were also used as medicine or to pay the rent. They were a welcome wedding gift. The Pilgrims brought them with them on their voyage to the New World. Once they arrived, they found many wild verities growing quite well. Native Americans used them in cooking as a vegetable and as a seasoning. They also ate them raw. They were used as toys, medicine, and dyes. They were one of the first crops the Pilgrims planted on their arrival.

In the 1800s, sweet onions were planted in several areas of the United States. Vidalia onions are grown in Georgia, Texas 1015s are grown in Texas, Walla Walla Sweets are grown in Washington State, Imperial Sweets are from California and Maui Sweets are from Hawaii. Many trace their origins back to Spain, the Canary Islands, or Corsica. The soil components in these areas are what help them develop such a sweet flavor.

French onion soup as we know it today was developed in the 1700s in France. It is a wonderful way to use them of any kind. For more flavor, you can combine varieties. Choose a sweet variety and blend it with a pungent variety for a real treat.

They continue to be used in many dishes today. They have even joined the fast food trade as onion rings. Whether you like them or not, they do add a lot of flavor to many recipes.

A delicious French onion soup recipe will make the most of a cold winter’s day. The warming qualities of this soup will soon have you imagining you are on the beach under the sun. On the other hand, this soup is also a wonderful way to enjoy the colder weather.

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