It's in almost every shopping cart and is the base for sauces, soups, and hearty dishes. The onion is an indispensable part of our cuisine. But while we usually only use it for its taste, we often overlook its immense healing power.
Why the onion is a true superfood (and why, according to our guide, you absolutely shouldn't throw it in a smoothie!), you'll find out in our latest food check.
What you should know about onions
The onion is a storage champion. Its season runs from July to March, and because it stores so well, it's regionally available almost all year round. This makes it one of the most sustainable vegetables there is.
Nutrients & Effects
The onion is low in calories and provides important nutrients such as 1.1g protein and 1.9g fiber, making it rich in fiber.
But its true talents lie in herbal medicine:
- Anti-inflammatory: It has strong anti-inflammatory properties – no wonder onion juice is an old home remedy for earaches or coughs.
- Cardiovascular: The onion is considered a blood thinner, which can promote circulation.
- Alkaline: If you're over-acidic, reach for an onion: it has an alkaline effect on the body.
- Not suitable for smoothies: It explicitly states: Not suitable for smoothies. Anyone who has tried to blend raw onion into a fruit smoothie will never do it again. The taste dominates everything and can quickly become bitter/metallic when raw and pureed.
- Strong distinct taste: Its strong distinct taste is both a blessing and a curse. It can overpower delicate flavors if not used sparingly.
- Food chopper: The absolute lifesaver! Roughly peel the onion, throw it into the food chopper, and press the button. In 3 seconds, you'll have perfect cubes, without shedding a single tear. Ideal for Bolognese, meatballs, or salad dressing.
- Air fryer: Craving crispy onion rings without a deep fry? Breaded onion rings get super crispy in the air fryer. Or you can make your own fried onions for hot dogs and Käsespätzle: Lightly flour onion rings, spray with oil, and roast.
- Bread maker: Nothing smells better than fresh onion bread. Add fried onions (from the air fryer!) or finely chopped raw onions with bacon bits to the dough. Your machine will bake a hearty bread that needs no side dishes.
- Slow juicer / Juicer: Even though it doesn't belong in a smoothie, the onion is good for savory juices. A small dash of onion juice in a vegetable juice (e.g., with tomato and bell pepper) acts as a flavor booster. Tip for colds: Juice an onion and mix the juice with honey – a potent cough elixir!
- Blender: Caution here due to the "not suitable for smoothies" rule. But: For a cold gazpacho or a salsa, the blender is perfect. Here, the onion can show its pungency, as it is balanced by tomatoes and bell peppers.
The two important warnings
There are two red downsides on your card that you should take seriously:
Preparation with your kitchen appliances (Tear-free!)
The biggest problem with onions – tears when cutting – can be solved by your appliances in a flash:
Shopping & Storage
The onion must be firm and its skin dry and rustling. Soft spots or green sprouts indicate improper storage. Storage: Store in a dark, dry, and airy place (not in the refrigerator, unless cut open!). It will last for weeks this way.
Conclusion
The onion is the queen of savory cuisine. It's regional, anti-inflammatory, and blood-thinning. While its strong distinct taste makes it unsuitable for smoothies, it's all the more valuable for savory juices or hearty bread. And thanks to your food chopper, tears during preparation are finally a thing of the past!
