No Tears, No Bad Breath With New Red Onions

The farmers from Bedfordshire in the UK have grown sweet onions that do not give bad breath or bring tears. Red onion cultivation began in the UK in early 1990s; due to its reach and popularity among people, it is being cultivated in large scale since then. The onions, on cutting, release a sulphur compound that reach the eyes through air and irritate them. Though red onions have wonderful taste and a lot of health benefits, it is sometimes avoided because of its causing bad breath in people.

Alastair Findlay of Bedfordshire said that it took almost two decades to grow an onion variety that is less pungent and bring less tears on cutting. He also stated that he had tasted 400 to 500 bulbs every season to figure out the correct combination in creating the sweet onions.

A UK-based giant supermarket, Asda, will stock 40 tonnes of sweet onions in selected stores around the country. Andy Wareham, Asda’s vegetable buyer, said that the sweet red onions are milder, tastier and crunchier than the usual ones used by far. He also added that the sweet onions are not bitter in taste like some extremely pungent onions available in the market.

Asda is very proud to have worked and supported Alastair in creating and cultivating the Asda sweet red onions, said Andy. He also mentioned that it is a fantastic achievement to introduce the UK’s first sweet onions. People would appreciate and enjoy the interesting tangy flavour of onions without their acidity as people of UK, like those in the US, have a sweeter palate than other countries, reported Andy. The less pungent red onions are said to be designed for garnishes, salads and as an accompaniment for matured cheddar cheese.

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