Tag: Onion flavor

When you cut into an onion, a rapid enzymatic reaction releases the compound syn-propanethial-S-oxide, causing your eyes to water uncontrollably. This eye-irritating chemical is just one of many potent compounds that an onion contains, contributing to its distinct aroma, flavor, and health benefits.

Onions are an essential aromatic in countless global cuisines. So, are red onions good when cooked? Absolutely, and in many delicious ways; heating them changes their famously pungent, crisp profile into something remarkably sweet and tender. This transformation makes them a versatile ingredient that deserves a place in your cooked meals, not just in salads and salsas.

While it's a common assumption, sweet onions often have slightly less total sugar than yellow onions, a fact that surprises many home cooks. The perception of sweetness is actually due to lower levels of pungent sulfur compounds, which allows the natural sugars to be more apparent on the palate.

Funyuns were invented by a Frito-Lay employee named George Bigner and introduced in 1969, prompting many to ask: what is a funyun made of? Despite the onion-inspired name and ring shape, the popular crunchy snack is not made from real onions, but from a surprisingly different primary ingredient: cornmeal.

According to food experts, a green sprout emerging from an onion is simply a sign that it is beginning to regrow, not that it has become toxic. So, is it fine to eat an onion if it's green? The short answer is yes, provided there are no other signs of spoilage.

According to the National Onion Association, brown onions are the most commonly used onions in American cooking due to their potent, all-purpose flavor. When answering "is brown or red onion stronger?", the short answer is that brown onions are generally considered stronger and more pungent when raw, while red onions offer a milder, sweeter flavor profile.

According to the ingredients list on a standard bag, Funyuns contain less than 2% of several seasonings, including onion powder. This means that despite their name and flavor, there is no real, fresh onion in Funyuns; the taste is derived from a blend of powders and natural flavorings.