Introduction of Bombay Onion

Onions: An Exotic Twist from Bombay to Every Dish!

Onions are the most common type of onion widely cultivated and are often used as a spice and main ingredient in various dishes. Onion bulbs have a large round shape with a thick layer of flesh, making them suitable as a garnish for dishes and as an important part of various types of cooking. The name “onions” comes from traders from the city of Bombay (now known as Mumbai, India) who brought these onions to Indonesia.

Nama Binomial

Garlic onion L

Klasifikasi Ilmiah

Kingdom

Plantae

Subkingdom

Tracheobionta

Superdivision

Spermatophyta

Divisiono

Magnoliophyta

Class

Magnoliopsida

Subclass

Liliidae

Ordo

Liliales

Family

Amaryllidaceae

Genus

Garlic

Subgenus

A. subg. Cepa

Species

A.cepa L

The Origin of Onions

The Journey of Onions from Central Asia to Enriching the Taste of Indonesian Cuisine

Onions are thought to originate from Central Asia, most likely from Palestine before spreading to Europe and India. Onions most likely entered Indonesia at the same time as traders from India or Dutch colonialists arrived. During the colonial period, the Dutch tried to cultivate onions in Padang, but this attempt failed. The land in the Karo area is more suitable for cultivating onions with very satisfactory results.

Interesting Facts

  • Onions have antibacterial and antiseptic properties that can help protect the body from potential infections.
  • When onions are crushed, the allinase enzyme contained in them is released, producing a spicy taste that can irritate the eyes, causing pain and triggering tears.

Nutritional Content of Onions

Per (100 gram)
Water

87,5 gr

Energy

43 kal

Protein

1,4 gr

Fat

0,2 gr

Carbohydrate

10,3 gr

Fiber

2 gr

Sodium

9,6 mg

Potassium

12 mg

Calcium

32 mg

Zinc

0,3 mg

Iron

0,5 mg

Vitamin B2

0,21 mcg

Vitamin C

9 mg

Karoten Total

50 mcg

Key Health Benefits

Improves immune system

The antioxidant content in onions plays a role in strengthening the immune system. A strong immune system helps the body fight various diseases, viruses and free radicals.

Improves digestive function

Onions contain oligofructose fiber which supports the growth of good bacteria in the intestines which can help prevent and treat diarrhea.

Treating throat problems

The quercetin content in onions is believed to relax respiratory tract muscles, thereby helping relieve asthma symptoms. Onions are also effective for treating bronchitis and swelling of the mouth and throat.

Maintain healthy skin and hair

Onions are rich in vitamin C which contributes to maintaining healthy skin and hair. In addition, the folate content in onions helps prevent the buildup of homocysteine ​​in the body which can inhibit blood flow and nutrients to the brain.

Supports heart health

The potassium content in onions has been proven to be effective in lowering blood pressure. Apart from that, quercetin is one of the flavonoids in onions which functions to keep blood pressure stable and prevent plaque buildup in the arteries.

Improve mood

Onions can prevent the buildup of homocysteine ​​which is known to cause depression because it inhibits the flow of blood and nutrients to the brain.

Keeping blood sugar stable

The quercetin and sulfur compounds in onions have anti-diabetic effects which help maintain stable blood sugar levels.

Onion Varieties

Onion Varieties You Should Know

Candy Hybrid Onions

This variety is known for its durability in storage and has a sweet taste and soft texture. The tubers are slightly flat with tight skin, so they can be stored for a long time without getting damaged.

Sweet Savannah Onions

The Sweet Savannah variety has golden yellow skin and pale white flesh and an extra sweet texture. The tubers weigh an average of about 1 pound and can be stored for a long time. This variety is ready to harvest in about 160 days after sowing. Texas Grano Onions

Texas Grano Onions

Texas Grano is a short day variety that requires approximately 170 days from seed to harvest. This variety has light yellow skin and tender flesh, with a very sweet taste. The average bulb size reaches 1 pound, and these onions can be stored for quite a long time. In addition, Texas Grano is known to be resistant to heat and drought, making it suitable for extreme climates.

Sparkle
Petir

You Should Know

Onions are a very rich source of antioxidants and are beneficial for health. This vegetable contains more than 25 different types of flavonoid antioxidants, including quercetin, an important flavonoid antioxidant. The presence of quercetin in onions has the potential to help reduce various risk factors related to heart disease.

Economic and Market Potential

Indonesian Onions: Reduce Imports, Increase Onion Production in Your Own Country!

Onion production in Indonesia is currently still limited and unable to fully meet domestic market needs. As a result, the supply of onions in Indonesia is still very dependent on imports from other countries. To meet consumer demand, Indonesia imports large quantities of onions, especially from countries such as India and China, which are the main suppliers of this commodity. This dependence on onion imports shows that there is still a big opportunity for developing domestic production to reduce dependence and support food independence in this sector.

Interesting Facts

  • China has succeeded in occupying the top position as the main producer of onions in the world. Onion production in this country can reach around 24.92% of total global production, placing it as the largest onion producer internationally.
  • Onions have flexibility in processing methods that can be adapted to various tastes and culinary needs. In general, onions can be prepared through various methods, such as grilling them, pickling them, caramelizing them, or slicing them thinly to serve them directly as part of a salad.

Also read other articles about onions in Kebunindo

Explore more articles about onions commodities in Kebunindo. Learn more about the cultivation, benefits and economic potential of onions.

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