The Most Popular Onion Variety, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the onion variety you think is the most popular!
Updated on May 8, 2024 06:46
Gardeners and chefs alike often debate the superiority of different onion types, each championing their favorite for unique flavors, cooking properties, or growing ease. This diverse interest in varieties cultivates a natural curiosity about which onions stand out in the community's opinion. By aggregating preferences, a clearer picture of popular tastes and practical choices emerges that can guide newcomers and experts in their culinary and gardening endeavors.
Voting on the most popular onion variety enables everyone to see trends and outlier preferences, providing insights that might not be as apparent without collective input. This driven community interaction helps refine selections for specific recipes or growing conditions, making it easier to choose the right type of onion. Whether for enhancing a dish or optimizing a garden, understanding popular choices can yield tangible benefits.
What Is the Most Popular Onion Variety?
-
145votes
Colin · CC BY-SA 3.0The most common onion variety due to its versatility, mild flavor, and long shelf life. It is used in a wide range of dishes, including soups, stews, and casseroles.The Yellow Onion is a popular variety of onion known for its distinct yellow skin and white flesh. It is one of the most widely used onions in cooking and is prized for its versatility and strong flavor. The Yellow Onion is commonly used as a base for soups, stews, and sauces, as well as being an essential ingredient in many other culinary creations.- Color: Yellow
- Skin: Thin and papery
- Flesh: White
- Flavor: Strong and pungent
- Size: Medium to large
-
221votes
Colin · CC BY-SA 3.0A sweet and mild onion with a vibrant color that is often used raw in salads and sandwiches.The Red Onion is a popular variety known for its vibrant red-purple skin and crisp texture. It is characterized by its mild and sweet flavor, making it suitable for both raw and cooked preparations. With its striking appearance and versatile taste, the Red Onion is a popular choice in various culinary dishes around the world.- Color: Red-purple
- Flavor: Mild and sweet
- Texture: Crisp
- Usage: Raw or cooked
- Culinary applications: Salads, sandwiches, grilling, roasting, pickling
-
330votesA tangy and pungent onion that is commonly used in Mexican cuisine, particularly in salsa and guacamole.White Onion is a popular variety of onion known for its pale white skin and crisp texture. It has a mild flavor that is slightly sweeter than other onion varieties, making it versatile for various culinary uses. The white onion is particularly favored in dishes where a milder onion taste is desired but still provides a subtle oniony aroma. It is commonly used in salads, salsas, stir-fries, and other cooked dishes where its mild flavor can enhance the overall taste without overpowering other ingredients.
- Color: Pale white skin
- Flavor: Mild and slightly sweeter
- Texture: Crisp
- Aroma: Subtle oniony
- Culinary uses: Salads, salsas, stir-fries, cooked dishes
-
415votesA small and sweet onion with a delicate flavor that is often used in French cuisine.Shallot is a popular onion variety that has a mild flavor and a slightly sweet taste. It belongs to the Allium family and is known for its small, elongated shape and coppery-brown skin. The shallot has a firm texture and can be easily separated into cloves. It is a versatile ingredient used in various cuisines around the world, favored for its delicate flavor and ability to enhance the taste of dishes without overpowering them.
- Color: Coppery-brown
- Shape: Small, elongated
- Flavor: Mild, slightly sweet
- Texture: Firm
- Clove Separability: Easy to separate
-
518votes
Vidalia Onion
Mose ColemanA sweet and mild onion that is grown exclusively in the Vidalia region of Georgia. It is often used in salads and sandwiches.Vidalia Onion is a popular variety of onion known for its sweet and mild flavor. It is famous for its unique taste and is often enjoyed raw in salads, sandwiches, and other culinary dishes. The Vidalia Onion has a light golden-brown skin with white flesh that is tender and juicy.- Origin: Developed in Vidalia, Georgia, United States
- Flavor: Sweet and mild
- Bulb shape: Flat-round to slightly oval
- Skin color: Light golden-brown
- Flesh color: White
-
610votes
Walla Walla Onion
Ira J. HiattA sweet and mild onion that is grown in the Walla Walla Valley of Washington. It is often used in salads and sandwiches.The Walla Walla Onion is a popular variety of onion known for its sweet and mild flavor. It is a large-sized onion with a round shape and a yellow-brown skin. The flesh of the Walla Walla Onion is crisp, juicy, and white. It is widely used in various culinary dishes and is particularly favored for its mild taste when eaten raw.- Origin: Walla Walla Valley, Washington, United States
- Size: Large
- Shape: Round
- Skin Color: Yellow-brown
- Flesh Color: White
-
77votesA sweet and mild onion that is grown in Bermuda. It is often used in salads and sandwiches.The Bermuda Onion is a popular variety of onion with a distinct flavor and appearance. It is known for its large size and sweet taste, making it a preferred choice for many culinary applications.
- Origin: Bermuda
- Shape: Round to slightly flattened
- Color: Yellowish-brown skin with white flesh
- Size: Large, typically 3 to 4 inches in diameter
- Taste: Mild and sweet
-
82votes
Cippolini Onion
Italian farmersA small and sweet onion that is often used in Italian cuisine. It is particularly popular in dishes like pasta and risotto.Cippolini Onion is a popular variety of onion known for its small flattened shape and distinctive sweet flavor. It has a beautiful reddish-brown outer skin and pale yellow flesh. This onion is commonly used in various cuisines to add flavor and color to dishes. Its unique size and shape make it a visually appealing addition to salads, roasts, and sautés.- Shape: Small, flattened
- Color: Reddish-brown outer skin, pale yellow flesh
- Flavor: Sweet
- Usage: Versatile in various cuisines
- Applications: Salads, roasts, sautés
-
99votesA sweet and mild onion that is grown in Maui, Hawaii. It is often used in salads and sandwiches.The Maui Onion is a popular variety of onion known for its sweet and mild flavor. It is commonly grown in the volcanic soil of the Hawaiian island of Maui. The onion has a pale golden color with a thin and smooth skin. Its flesh is juicy and crisp, making it suitable for both raw and cooked preparations. The Maui Onion is highly sought after and often considered a gourmet delicacy.
- Flavor: Sweet and mild
- Color: Pale golden
- Skin: Thin and smooth
- Flesh: Juicy and crisp
- Growth Region: Maui, Hawaii
-
105votesA small and sweet onion that is often used in stews and casseroles.The Pearl Onion is a small, round onion variety known for its distinct white color and mild flavor. It is commonly used as a pickling onion or as an ingredient in various dishes such as stews, soups, and casseroles. The name 'Pearl Onion' reflects its pearl-like appearance and small size.
- Color: White
- Flavor: Mild
- Size: Small
- Shape: Round
- Common Usage: Pickling, stews, soups, casseroles
Missing your favorite onion variety?
Graphs
Discussion
Ranking factors for popular onion variety
-
TasteThe flavor of the onion variety, whether it is mild, sweet, or strongly pungent, is a significant factor in judging its popularity. Different cuisines and recipes require different types of onions, so a well-rounded and versatile taste is desired.
-
TextureOnions should have a crisp, firm texture when raw and should become soft and tender when cooked. The texture can impact the culinary uses of the onion and contribute to its popularity.
-
Size and ShapeThe size and shape of the onion can affect its usage in different recipes. Some people might prefer smaller, round onions for salads and sandwiches, while others might prefer larger onions for cooking in various dishes.
-
Shelf Life and StorageOnions with longer shelf lives and better storage properties are more popular because they can be used over an extended period and are less likely to spoil or rot.
-
Color and AppearanceThe color and appearance of the onion may also impact its popularity. Consumers may find certain colors more appealing, and a consistent appearance can make the onion more marketable.
-
Availability and AffordabilityThe ease of access to a particular onion variety and its price point will affect its popularity. More accessible and affordable onions will be more popular amongst consumers.
-
Nutritional ContentOnions that offer a higher nutritional value or unique health benefits may garner more popularity due to increasing consumer awareness of healthy eating.
-
Cooking versatilitySome onion varieties are more versatile in cooking, making them popular among home cooks and professionals alike. An onion variety that works well in a wide range of dishes will be more popular than one with limited applications.
-
Regional PreferencesThe popularity of certain onion varieties can also be impacted by regional preferences and where they are grown. Consumers might gravitate towards locally grown onions or specific varieties commonly used in their regional cuisine.
-
Market Demand and TrendsFinally, market demand and current food trends can also influence the popularity of different onion varieties. For example, if a specific type of onion becomes popular due to its inclusion in a trending cuisine or diet, its popularity could increase significantly.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular onion variety. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or onion is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 1715 views
- 164 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each onion once every 24 hours. The rank of each onion is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular onion variety
Onions are one of the most versatile vegetables in the world, used in a wide range of cuisines and dishes. With so many different varieties of onions available, it can be difficult to determine which one is the most popular. From the sweet and mild Vidalia onion to the pungent and flavorful red onion, each variety has its own unique taste and texture. Some of the most popular onion varieties include the white onion, yellow onion, and shallot. Whether you prefer your onions cooked or raw, there is sure to be a variety that will suit your taste buds. So, what is the most popular onion variety? Let's find out with a StrawPoll!
Explore other rankings
Check out some of the other recommended rankings on StrawPoll and make your voice heard.
