Talk:Onion

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Medicinal properties section is contradictory

It states: "it has not been conclusively demonstrated that increased consumption of onions is directly linked to health benefits". This is followed by statements like:

"Onions may be especially beneficial for women,[17] who are at increased risk for osteoporosis as they go through menopause, by destroying osteoclasts so that they do not break down bone."

"For all varieties of onions, the more phenols and flavonoids they contain, the more antioxidant and anti-cancer activity they provide. When tested against liver and colon cancer cells, Western Yellow, pungent yellow (New York Bold[19]) and shallots were most effective in inhibiting their growth."

"most pungent onions delivered many times the benefits of their milder cousins" —Preceding unsigned comment added by 79.178.125.85 (talk) 10:27, 6 January 2010 (UTC)[reply]

How onions grow and are shipped to stores

I think something about how onions grow should be included, as well as how they make it from farm to store, the processes they go through, etc. KannD86 (talk) 03:48, 28 November 2008 (UTC)[reply]

my father has been avoiding eye irritation for years by having a mouthful of water when cutting onions, and it works too. can anyone find out why this might work? (im too busy to do it myself)

this is ment yo be spring onions

There is already an article for genus Allium. Certainly when people talk about "the onion" in english, they are referring exclusively to Allium cepa. I think this is better kept to the narrower usage, with a reference to many (though not all) Alliums being called "this and that onion". After all, many wild Alliums are called garlics. WormRunner 23:02, 5 Feb 2004 (UTC)

Well, I changed it back to a species page. If anyone gets too horribly upset, I would suggest moving this page to garden onion or common onion and changing the resulting redirect under onion to point at allium. When I have more time, I would like to add a section on varieties, including not only "sweet spanish" and the like, but the egyptian onion, multiplier onions and so forth. WormRunner 06:51, 6 Feb 2004 (UTC)

Useage of different kinds of Onion

does anyone tell me how to use the different colour of onion and what the taste like ? would the red onion be sweeter ? can i use the red onion for soup ?

Drug Company Ad?

Is it just me or does this excerpt sound like an advertisement from a big pharmaceutical corporation: "Onions may be especially beneficial for women[citation needed], who are at increased risk for osteoporosis as they go through menopause. Fosamax (Alendronate), the drug typically prescribed to prevent excessive bone loss, works in a similar manner, by destroying osteoclasts, so they do not break down bone. Potential negative side effects of Fosamax include irritation of the upper gastrointestinal mucosa, acid regurgitation, esophageal ulcers and erosions." —Preceding unsigned comment added by 76.90.15.85 (talk) 20:06, 8 October 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Onion set?

What the heck is an onion set? There's a link to it under cultivate, but it just redirects back to onion. --24.46.164.83 07:32, 14 March 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Nutrition

There should be some info on the nutritional value of onions (if any?)

Just put some of that up too Andham2000 23:19, 10 May 2005 (UTC)[reply]

No mention is made if an onion is a vegetable. If it is, it should be so stated. If not, it should be mentioned exactly what it is.

Verification of edit

Can anyone verify the additions made by the anonymous poster? If this is widely practiced that is great. I just haven't heard of such a practice. Liblamb 15:51, 30 August 2005 (UTC)[reply]

Sulfenic acid

Is it Sulfenic Acid or Sulfonic Acid? Wikipedia has an article for the latter, but not the former. Also, there seems to be some controversy on the subject of why sulfe(o?)nic acid is released - the latest studies according to one source say that Lachrymatory-factor synthase, not allinases, are responsible for the gases emitted. Ivkost 20:27, 5 December 2005 (UTC)[reply]

Osteoporosis

I'm not sure whether refs are desirable for the osteoporosis claim, but:

Roman C. Mühlbauer and Feng Li in Nature Sep 1999
H. Wetli in Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 2005: Nov 05

Gamahucheur 23:35, 22 March 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Onions and dogs

Why are onions dangerous for dogs to eat? Can someone put this in the article? -Thanks

Because William Shatner.

Onions are dangerous for dogs to eat due to the high toxicity they contain the same as chocolate can not be eaten by dogs. Everything Pet - Pet Supplies —Preceding unsigned comment added by 122.111.78.81 (talk) 16:53, 11 November 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Onions in antiquity

Why did they eat so many onions back then? I understand they were eaten raw - were they a different (less sharp) cultivar then is commonly grown today? 71.199.123.24 07:42, 17 May 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Probably they just weren't such sissies. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 89.138.32.24 (talk) 20:58, 24 December 2006 (UTC).[reply]

HAHAHA

Onions in the old days and even in the ancient days were eaten as a medicine just as citrus fruits were eaten by sailors to prevent scurvy. Onions clean the blood system very quickly and builds the immune system just as garlic does, but garlic taste some what better and yes we are sissies now days because "an onion a day will keep every one away", my quote by RAH, world traveler.

Onion plant

Can someone write an article about onion plants please.

Genus Allium

Onion in the general sense can be used for any plant in the genus Allium

Seriously? Allium sativum can be called onion? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 89.138.32.24 (talk) 20:56, 24 December 2006 (UTC).[reply]

For some reason the "citation needed" mark on this statement was removed. It needs a citation. It is by no means clear that there is anyone who uses "onion" to mean any member of Allium. I would be highly surprised if you can find somewhere where garlic is called an onion. For example, the definition at dictionary.com mentions "any of certain similar plants [to Allium cepa]" (emphasis added). It says nothing about any member of Allium.

In response to the unsigned comment above - you can find the definition in dictionaries, no need for a citation in the article. For example, according to Merriam-Webster, an onion is "any of various plants of the same genus as the onion". I'm removing the "citation needed" sign. Liffey 13:43, 11 February 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Flavour?

I was just playing the "Urban Myth" board game and one of the trivia cards says that the statement "Onions have no flavour" is true. Any idea why? In the article it says that onions have a strong flavour.--24.57.19.247 03:39, 27 December 2006 (UTC)[reply]

This could be because onions do not trigger any of the basic tastes of the human tongue. The 'flavor' (flavour?) of an onion is strictly because of the nose. A trick I have heard is to hold your nose and eat an onion, and it will be nearly flavorless. --Mdwyer 17:48, 26 January 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Expiration date?

How long is an onion usually good for? Does refrigeration extend this? How can you tell when an onion is bad? I can't find this information anywhere on the web

Onion is good for 3 months it should be fully dry. If it wet it will get spoiled very soon. The refrigeration shorten the life of onion because it is cool. It needs to be dry. It usually gives a strong bad smell when it is bad. --SkyWalker 13:51, 10 February 2007 (UTC)[reply]

why do onions give you bad breath? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 76.224.67.29 (talk) 05:30, 8 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Teargas claim

The claim that onions were used as tear gas originated with this edit: [1] by User:AprilMayJune on July 27, 2006. It's an interesting idea, and it's all over the internet, but I have not found a source that did quote straight from this very article or that was written before July 2006. It smells like original research (made up) to me. If someone else can find the source, then great, but if not, I'm taking it out. --Vlmastra 03:15, 15 May 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Food versatility

I'd like to add a section or at least some commentary on the extraordinary versatility of the onion in most cuisines. I've seen it written many times that "the beginning of any great meal is the chopping of an onion." An onion provides sweetness, bulk, bite, and a amazing amount of absorption of other flavors to every dish I can think of, short of desserts. It's also remarkably dexterous on its own - from onion rings to the cocktail onion in a Gibson. If others think that this would be inappropriate or insensitive to other cultures, I'd appreciate insight now before it goes live. Hythlodayalmond 01:10, 29 May 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Go ahead with this - I dont think its in any way inappropriate or insensitive. Thinking about it, hare krishnas dont eat onion, they say it reminds them of the penis. Maybe this needs its own section?78.150.145.223 (talk) 22:23, 29 April 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Propagation

Need to add if removal of the seed head stalk on onion sets will produce a bigger bulb that if left to flower and produce seeds. Other info on the flower/seeds too.

Crying

I read that onions make you cry by entering through your nose and not your eyes. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 71.248.163.215 (talk) 22:19, 9 September 2007 (UTC)[reply]

I wear contact lenses. When I peel or cut onions, I don't have tears in my eyes. Is that common and worth mentioning?19:53, 29 January 2008 (UTC)

Onion

Can Onion Increase the Sex Power ? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 124.30.35.4 (talk) 01:41, 20 September 2007 (UTC)[reply]

"Glass Onion"--song by The Beatles from The White Album

"Glass Onion"

"Glass Onion"--song by The Beatles from The White Album —Preceding unsigned comment added by Mjzarif (talk • contribs) 09:16, 23 February 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Fertility

So onions are fed to dogs and other household pets for fertility reasons?? - Denimadept (talk) 16:27, 19 March 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Health benefits

Nearly all of the section on "medicinal uses" was pasted from the "World's Healthiest Foods" reference. Since most of the statements were either unsourced or referenced studies that didn't support the conclusions that the site drew (e.g., people who ate more onions got cancer less than those who ate fewer; onions contain an anti-inflammatory chemical, therefore eating lots of onions means your arthritis will go away), I just deleted it. KarlM (talk) 16:48, 1 April 2008 (UTC)[reply]

There is no information in this article about what it is in onion that causes acute stomach pain in some people after eating. 86.177.205.41 (talk) 00:19, 15 August 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Onions in Language

Virtually the entire Onions in Language section seems to me to be in flagrant violation of WP:NAD, and ought to be deleted or seriously trimmed.FrFintonStack (talk) 12:17, 13 July 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Shallot? Confusion.

The statement "Allium cepa is also known as the 'garden onion' or 'bulb' onion and 'shallot'." seems incorrect to me. I've never heard common bulb onions referred to as shallots - to me, "shallot" refers to the classic grey French shallot, or the multiplier onions often sold as shallots. I hesitate to change the article without asking. Is this common terminology somewhere?

ChickenWings (talk) 07:31, 7 March 2009 (UTC)[reply]

All varieties of onion are poisonous??

The article states that all varieties of onion are poisonous, and lists one wild variety in particular. The claim is cited, however the citation refers only to the one wild variety listed. I think it is hardly reasonable to use this as rationale that all onions are poisonous. Vote that this be clarified as saying "many varieties of onions are toxic to young children and livestock" 174.34.76.138 (talk) 17:42, 14 April 2009 (UTC)Amy Ross[reply]

You are correct, I modified it to say "some" are poisonous. A new name 2008 (talk) 18:17, 14 April 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Compare vs. Scallion

This article states (under "Propagation"):

Either planting method may be used to produce spring onions...which are the leaves and/or immature plants.

This appears to contradict the introduction to the article on Scallions:

A...green onion...is associated with various members of the genus Allium that lack a fully-developed bulb.

Can we arrive at a consensus that scallions/green onions are either

Onions harvested before the bulb develops, or
Allium varieties that don't develop a bulb

Or, failing a consensus, can we at least bring the two articles into agreement with each other, that the term appears to apply to both categories? Bgoldnyxnet (talk) 11:28, 10 June 2009 (UTC)[reply]

FYI...

http://www.google.com/patents?id=HdcKAAAAEBAJ&pg=PA2&dq=+fried+onion+aroma&source=gbs_selected_pages&cad=1_1#PPA1,M1

It is commonly agreed that the aroma in fried onions is much pleasant than the raw ones--124.78.210.202 (talk) 07:27, 28 June 2009 (UTC)[reply]

From "Allergies and eye irritation."

"It may also be that lens wearers are familiar with controlling the more reflexive actions of their eyes with regards to irritation; as this is an ability they require when manipulating the lenses to prevent blinking."

Prevent blinking? I wear contacts and I have no idea what this is supposed to mean. 128.211.198.168 (talk) 08:58, 20 October 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Pop Culture

I don't understand why the pop culture section was removed. This gives onions some cultural context in western world. It shows how we, society, interact with onions on a daily, everyday, mundane basis. I realize much of the article is scientific in nature, in the route of chemistry/biology. Would it be more acceptable were the heading "Sociology?" This would show that we are discussing society interactions and beliefs about onions. Kitten mittens (talk)Kitten Mittens —Preceding undated comment added 17:14, 17 November 2009 (UTC).[reply]

US centered

while india and china top the production of onion this article has pictures from US cities.123.238.70.154 (talk) 14:58, 7 January 2010 (UTC)[reply]

Green Onions

Can we get some clarification on this? The site currently reads: "Either planting method may be used to produce spring onions or green onions, which are the leaves of immature plants. Green onion is a name also used to refer to another species, Allium fistulosum, the Welsh onion, which is said not to produce dry bulbs." suggesting that green onions are nothing but the immature leaves of regular onion plants, but according to the green onion article, it's a completely different species. I'm pretty sure that this should be changed because the leaves of immature plants are NOT green onions. I plant onions and green onion seeds are specifically sold separately from those of regular onions.