Purple onion: benefits and harm, difference from ordinary ones

Author of the article: Svetlana Golitsina | Updated: 04-12-2021

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The varietal diversity of onions is very rich. However, sweet varieties are especially popular. Purple or blue onions not only have interesting taste characteristics, but also help resist a number of diseases. Today we will tell you what beneficial properties sweet onions have.

Description and composition of purple onions

Lilac or Yalta onions have unique properties. It differs from standard onions in its sweet taste. Most varieties of blue onions offered in markets are not a true Yalta variety, but belong to steppe crops that have standard taste, with a characteristic burning sensation.

The Crimean variety of onions was developed by crossing Portuguese and Spanish onions. Appeared in 1950. They began to cultivate it in the Nikitsky Botanical Garden. On the territory of Crimea there was a Pilyaki volcano, after the eruption of which a large amount of minerals remained in the soil.

The territory from the mountains to the sea is covered with rocky volcanic soils. Underground there are spring water sources that feed the soil. And seabird droppings serve as fertilizer. Due to the presence of rocky soil, onions ripen in this region even at night. The stones bask in the sun during the day and give off heat at night, which increases the sugar content of the fruit.

The real Yalta variety is obtained only in several regions of Crimea:

• village of Opolznevoye;
• the village of Blue Bay;
• Zaprudnoye village;
• Nikitsky Botanical Garden.

Important! When grown in climate zones other than Crimea, Yalta onion loses its unique characteristics. The appearance is preserved, but the taste becomes burning.

The roots are dense and strong. They have a flat shape. The weight of one specimen is 200–250 g. The thickness of the scales is 0.5–2 cm. A real Crimean onion does not have more than 7 scales. The outer scale has a rich purple color; when cut, it is white with purple layers. Real Crimean onions taste sweet and their juice is clear.

Today, several varieties of purple onions are found in the markets, which, just like regular ones, are divided into three categories according to their taste characteristics:

• sweet;
• spicy;
• semi-sharp.

Even the spicy varieties, the purple varieties, taste much more delicate than the white root vegetables.
Most of the crops of this type are intended for salad purposes and are poorly stored. The benefits of red varieties are due to the increased content of antioxidants - they are twice as much as in white varieties. Its main value lies in the presence of anthocyanins - substances that cause an unusual color and help prevent the development of cancerous tumors. Red onions also contain the flavonoid quercetin, which has diuretic and anti-inflammatory properties. Red onions contain sulfur, represented by various compounds that promote the production of cysteine ​​(amino acid), regeneration of the dermis, nail plates, hair, and cholesterol reduction.

Did you know? The first written facts about the use of onions as food date back to the Bronze Age. This means that even then people learned to cultivate this plant.

Peculiarities

The vegetable ripens at different times and is divided into early, middle and late varieties. Red onions are not as hot as yellow ones, but the taste of the pulp depends not only on the variety, ripening time, but also on the growing region.

Acute

Red onions of early varieties, which take root even in the northern regions, contain many essential oils containing sulfur. This microelement adds pungency and pungency, causing tears when peeling the husks and chopping into rings. The purple pulp has a disinfecting effect and kills germs.

Peninsular

These varieties of red onions produce a high yield, but ripen in an average time. The not very dense heads are covered with very little husk; they are not stored for a long time and are consumed immediately.

Sweet

Red onions, containing a large amount of sugars, have an excellent taste, high yield, but do not store well. Purple sweet varieties are cultivated in the south and harvested by hand.

Purple onion varieties

Purple onions come in several varieties:

1. Crimson Ball - the heads mature in 12–16 weeks. The seeds do not germinate well in open ground, so it is better to plant the variety in seedlings, through sowing, or to grow it in a greenhouse. Crimson Ball does not grow in shady areas and high humidity. It is possible to obtain fruits with a characteristic sweet taste only in a greenhouse.

2. Yalta - Suitable for cultivation only in the southern regions. The variety is very capricious, and it will not be possible to get a full harvest without special fertilizers.

3. Aleko - differs from previous varieties by the presence of a blue tint on the cut. It can develop normally in any climatic conditions. Ripens in 10–12 weeks. In the southern regions it is grown by seed through direct sowing, in the northern regions - through seedlings or in greenhouses. The seeds form three sets in the ground, tightly fused together.

4. Black Prince - tastes closer to regular onions. It differs from other varieties in its relatively good shelf life and transportability. In the southern regions it is grown by seed through direct sowing, in the northern regions - only in greenhouse conditions.

5. Yucont — the variety has good keeping quality. The fruits have a semi-sharp taste. A good harvest can only be obtained in the southern regions and the middle zone.

Specifics of cultivation

The crop is propagated in three ways - seeds, sets and seedlings. To obtain a faster harvest, use the last two options. With the seed propagation method, germination is carried out by placing the seeds in moistened gauze a day before sowing.

When planting, it is buried 1.5 cm; there are no special requirements for the soil, but it must be nutritious and light. After sowing, carefully water and cover with film to maintain the greenhouse effect. When the first shoots appear, the film is removed, and the container with the onions is placed on a windowsill or in any other bright, warm place.

Calorie content and vitamin composition

100 g of purple fresh produce contains 42 kcal, which accounts for:

• proteins - 1.4 g;
• fat - 0 g;
• carbohydrates - 9.1 g.

Vitamin composition:

• ascorbic acid;
• B vitamins;
• retinol acetate;
• vitamin E;
• folic acid;
• group of vitamins R.

Find out more about the vitamin composition of onions.

Mineral composition:

• chromium;
• zinc;
• magnesium;
• calcium;
• iron;
• bromine;
• iodine;
• potassium, etc.

Useful properties of purple onion

Due to the high content of antioxidants, the species in question is a natural antiseptic that effectively eliminates harmful microorganisms for colds and purulent wounds. B vitamins are the main building material for the entire human body:

• muscle fibers;
• nerve cells;
• tissues of internal organs.

Regular moderate consumption of such products can significantly improve the condition of the skin and vascular walls, thanks to the combination of B vitamins and retinol acetate.
Vitamin E helps restore hair structure and accelerates its growth. Increasing the production of cysteine ​​due to sulfur compounds can reduce the level of intoxication in the body. Quercetin is not only a diuretic, but is also capable of having an antihistamine effect, which has a positive effect on the body of allergy sufferers who are in the acute stage. Thanks to chromium, even with such a high carbohydrate content, the product is approved for use by diabetics.

The element reduces blood sugar levels. The juice of red specimens effectively increases the acidity of the stomach, normalizing food digestion. The vegetable also has an anthelmintic effect. Consuming certain quantities as a whole course will help quickly get rid of worms.

Did you know? Libya consumes the most onions in the world. There, onions are added to all dishes and each Libyan consumes 33 kg per year.

About the benefits

Now everyone is passionately interested in the topic of healthy eating and is actively studying the beneficial properties of foods, fruits and vegetables. The favorites are those vegetables that contain vitamins and beneficial microelements. It is the healing composition of the pulp that explains the growing interest in the red (purple) variety of onions in recent years.

Red varieties contain a full range of microelements and a large amount of vitamin C.

As you know, we need it to protect ourselves from the aggressive influence of the external environment, helps keep our immunity in shape, fight various seasonal infections and keep cancer cells under control.

The juice and pulp of red turnips contain anthocyanins - pigments (coloring substances from the group of glycosides) that have an antioxidant effect. Once in the body, glycosides:

• fight bacteria;
• normalize blood sugar levels;
• slow down the aging process in the body;
• serve as cancer prevention.

Nutritionists have paid attention to the beneficial properties of the red vegetable; in their opinion, women achieve results faster by including it in their daily diet. The body is cleansed of toxins, the digestive system becomes toned, fats are broken down, and bad cholesterol goes away.

It is useful for women to eat purple onions during menstruation; they reduce pain and normalize the length of the menstrual cycle. Red turnip juice is used to treat colds and bronchitis, and is used as a preventive measure during epidemics of ARVI and influenza.

The medicinal properties of the purple vegetable are not limited to this. Red (purple) turnip is useful for people prone to allergies; it contains quercetin, which helps relieve unpleasant symptoms and reduces swelling. Studies have shown that daily consumption of red onions improves the condition of blood vessels and reduces the risk of stroke and heart attack.

There is a category of people who have both benefits and harm from eating red onions. People with severe pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract, kidneys, and liver should use with caution. Pregnant and lactating women should eat red turnips in moderation; during this period of life, any excesses are harmful.

See also

Description of the onion variety Slizun, features of cultivation and careRead

Contraindications and harm

Onion juice can be harmful if consumed uncontrolled. The daily intake of red onions for a healthy adult is 78 g. Too many antioxidants can irritate the gastrointestinal mucosa. Such symptoms can be observed with uncontrolled consumption of products.

• Increased acidity can lead to:
• stomach discomfort;
• heartburn;
• diarrhea;
• vomiting.

• Purple varieties are prohibited for consumption by people suffering from:
• gastritis;
• gastrointestinal diseases accompanied by high acidity;
• pancreatitis;
• kidney and liver dysfunction;
• skin diseases.

Where are purple onions used?

Purple varieties are actively used in almost all areas of human activity.

In folk medicine

There are many folk recipes for treating cough. The most effective is using onion juice. The raw materials are mixed 1:1 with honey and taken 1 tsp. before meals 3 times a day. The course of treatment is 7 days. This is an excellent expectorant, tonic, and immunomodulatory agent. Juice mixed with water 1:2 is used as a diuretic. To improve the taste, you can add a spoonful of honey or citrus juice to this composition.

Take the composition 3 times a day, 50 ml in between meals. The course of treatment is 10 days. If you have problems with hair loss or your hair grows very slowly, you can use the juice and gruel as a therapeutic mask. The onion is crushed in a blender.

Important! Before using onion juice externally, be sure to do a wrist test. If your skin is very red and itchy, do not use this recipe.

To ensure the necessary viscosity and increase the nutritional value of the mask, add 20 g of burdock oil to the resulting mass. The mass is applied to the scalp with massaging movements. A bag is then placed over the head to provide the sauna effect. Leave this for 20–30 minutes and rinse with warm water, wash your hair with shampoo and rinse your hair with chamomile infusion.

In cooking

In cooking, products are used in:

• first courses;
• salads;
• sauces;
• meat and fish marinades;
• snacks;
• pies, dumplings, dumplings.

Is it possible to eat purple onions during pregnancy and breastfeeding?

During pregnancy, raw onions can cause heartburn. You can consume it in moderation, adding it to salads, if the woman does not suffer from stomach problems. To maintain immunity and enrich the taste of dishes, a small handful of chopped onion is enough. In processed (steamed, boiled, sautéed) form, this vegetable can be consumed in unlimited quantities.

Pregnant women should not get carried away with fried and deep-fried onions, so as not to provoke an increase in cholesterol in the blood. Nursing mothers should avoid eating fresh produce, as this can spoil the taste of the milk and the baby will refuse to eat it. If the vegetable has undergone heat treatment, then its consumption is welcome.

Important! Many useful microelements completely disintegrate during heat treatment in onions.

It can be added to soups, stews and savory casseroles. Green onion feathers can be added to your diet when your baby is 2 months old. The main thing is to introduce the product gradually and consume it in the morning. At first, one feather of greenery is enough. Over time, you can increase the consumption rate if the baby does not experience negative reactions.

ethnoscience

The red type of onion is used in everyday life:

1. As masks for hair that gain shine, silkiness and volume.
2. For the treatment of warts, calluses, boils.
3. To relieve muscle strain.

The husk helps get rid of calluses. To do this, prepare a compress and apply it to the sore spot. Lotions are used for muscle strain. The compress should be kept for several hours with a towel wrapped around it. There are other recipes according to which medicinal products are prepared.

Thus, purple onions are rich in beneficial properties. To improve your health, you should definitely include it in your diet. Then many diseases are not scary.

Storage methods at home

The main requirement when storing purple varieties is maintaining an optimal microclimate in the room:

• humidity - 60%;
• air temperature - +5...+18°С.

A small amount of root vegetables can be stored hanging in old tights. If you do not trim the tops, you can form onion braids and store them in the kitchen. This storage method can be used to decorate the interior. Large quantities of root vegetables should be stored in wooden or plastic boxes.

The boxes must have a sufficient number of holes through which air can circulate. The fruits are arranged in layers, sprinkled with wood shavings or covered with parchment paper. Products should be inspected weekly for signs of rotting. All infected specimens must be removed immediately.

You will be interested to learn about the rules for harvesting and storing onions.

Not all purple varieties are suitable for storage. When buying seeds, you need to carefully read the manufacturer's instructions. Purple varieties are distinguished by a rich, delicate taste with a characteristic piquancy and a rich vitamin composition. Their regular consumption in moderate quantities will help to effectively improve immunity and protect against seasonal vitamin deficiency.