Onion facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Onion
Onions
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Division:	Magnoliophyta
Class:	Liliopsida
Order:	Asparagales
Family:	Alliaceae
Genus:	Allium
Binomial name
Allium cepa L.

Onions are popular vegetables that belong to the Allium family. When most people talk about onions, they mean the common garden onion. Onions are known for their round bulbs, which are the part we usually eat. They have a very strong taste and a special smell that makes them unique.

Onions have been grown for a very long time. People probably started growing them in Ancient Egypt, along with other plants like leeks and garlic. Today, onions are eaten in almost every culture around the world!

How Onions Grow and Reproduce

The flower head of a yellow onion, where seeds are formed.

Farmers and gardeners can grow onions in two main ways: from tiny seeds or from small onion bulbs.

If you plant onion seeds, you'll see many young plants sprout. To help the onions grow big and strong, farmers often have to remove some of these young plants. This process is called 'thinning.' It makes sure the remaining onions have enough space and nutrients to grow well.

Another way to grow onions is by planting small, young onion bulbs. This method is usually faster than growing from seeds. However, onions grown from these small bulbs might not be as strong or as big as those grown from seeds.

Different Ways to Eat Onions

Onions are super versatile and can be eaten in many different ways!

• Fried onions are often cooked until they are soft and golden. They are a popular topping for hot dogs.
• Pickled onions are crunchy and tangy. They are often enjoyed with chips or added to a salad.
• Raw onions are sliced into thin rings or pieces. You can find them in hamburgers or on sandwiches for a sharp, fresh bite.
• Chopped onions are a common ingredient in many dishes like hearty stews and spicy curries. They add a lot of flavor to cooked meals.
• Sometimes, onions are even roasted whole until they are tender and sweet.

Why Onions Make Your Eyes Water

When you cut an onion, it releases chemicals that can irritate your eyes and make them water.

Have you ever wondered why your eyes sting and water when you cut an onion? It's because of a cool chemical reaction!

When you slice into an onion, you break open its tiny cells. This causes different chemicals inside the onion to mix together. One of these chemicals then turns into a gas that floats up into the air. When this gas reaches your eyes, it irritates them, and your eyes start to produce tears to wash it away.

But don't worry, there are some tricks to help stop the tears:

• Try cutting the onion under running water.
• Keep the onion in the fridge before you cut it; cold onions release less of the gas.
• Leave the root end of the onion attached until you've cut most of the rest. The root end has the highest concentration of the tear-causing chemicals.
• Use a very sharp knife. A sharp knife makes cleaner cuts, which means fewer cells are damaged, and less gas is released.
• Have a small fan blowing air away from you and towards the onion.
• Wear goggles, like the ones you use for swimming or skiing, to protect your eyes.

Images for kids

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  Roots, leaves and developing bulb

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  Onion Flowers

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  A medieval woodcut print showing an onion, from an old encyclopedia called Hortus Sanitatis (1547).

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  Sautéing onions in a pan.

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  A jar of pickled onions.

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  Onion bulbs used to grow new plants and seeds.

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  A large field where many onions are grown.

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  Larvae (young insects) of the onion fly.

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  Rossa di Tropea onions for sale in Italy.

See also

In Spanish: Cebolla para niños