Oignon de Roscoff facts for kids
| Type | Onion |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | France |
| Region or state | Brittany |
The Oignon de Roscoff is a special kind of onion grown in Brittany, a region in northwest France. This onion is famous for its sweet taste and pinkish-copper color. It's not just any onion; its name is protected by special rules. This means only onions grown in a specific area around the town of Roscoff can be called "Oignon de Roscoff."
Contents
History of the Roscoff Onion
The story of the Roscoff onion began a long time ago.
How the Onion Arrived
In the 17th century, a monk visited Portugal. He really liked the pink onions he found there. When he returned to the Couvent de Roscoff in France, he brought some of these onions with him. He then taught his neighbors how to grow them. These onions were very sweet and smelled wonderful.
What Makes It Special
The Oignon de Roscoff is a type of pink onion from the Allium cepa family. It has a unique pinkish-coppery skin. These onions are usually between 40 and 80 millimeters (about 1.5 to 3 inches) wide. The town of Roscoff is very important to this onion's history. For a long time, it was the main port for exporting these onions to Great Britain.
Onion Johnnies
For many years, men from Brittany would travel to Britain to sell these onions. They went door-to-door, carrying long strings of onions on their bicycles. These traveling sellers became known as "Onion Johnnies". They were a familiar sight in Britain and helped make the Roscoff onion famous.
Protecting the Name
The name "Oignon de Roscoff" is protected by special certifications.
AOC Certification
In 2009, the onion received an "appellation d'origine contrôlée" (AOC) certification. This French certification makes sure that only onions grown in a specific area near Roscoff can use this name. It helps protect the quality and origin of the product.
European Protection
In 2010, an application was sent to the European Commission for a "Protected Designation of Origin" (PDO). This is a similar protection, but it covers all countries in the European Union. In 2013, the PDO was approved. This means the Oignon de Roscoff is recognized and protected across Europe.
Celebrations and Museum
The Oignon de Roscoff is so important that it has its own festival and museum.
Roscoff Onion Festival
Since 2003, the town of Roscoff has held an annual festival in August. This festival celebrates the famous onion and its history. It's a fun way to learn about and enjoy this special vegetable.
Onion Johnnies Museum
There is also a museum in Roscoff called "La Maison des Johnnies et de l'Oignon de Roscoff". This museum tells the story of the Roscoff onions and the "Onion Johnnies" who sold them. It shows how important these onions and their sellers were to the local culture.
