You love to cook, but the onion stage is an obstacle course? Are your eyes turning red and tears rolling down your cheeks? Good news, unionions, a variety of onions guaranteed without tears, are slowly making their way onto the market. Already present in the United States for four years, they are now integrating British supermarkets.
It was in the late 1980s that Rick Watson, a plant breeder for the German chemical company BASF, thought of designing this variety. To do this, he favored natural techniques rather than genetic modifications. It took thirty years to perfect the unions and obtain this unique variety. From the starred chef to the cooking enthusiast, this culinary revolution could make life easier for the most sensitive.
The tears of the purse
In England, Waitrose supermarkets will start selling this variety of onions “brown, tearless and sweet” from January 18. Paul Bidwell, Corporate Purchasing Manager, explains au Guardian that these vegetables are a staple of many dishes. Unions therefore appear, according to him, as a versatile ingredient. The “sweetness of this type of onion lends itself perfectly to a variety of dishes, from salads to hot dishes”, he explains.
–
To design the uniones, scientists from all over the world looked into the subject and worked on several prototypes. The onion variety was first released in the United States, before reaching mainland Europe. Last year, the product was marketed by several Spanish retailers.
Before putting them on sale, the unions undergo three tests to check their softness, ensures the American company that markets them. So, happy? Not really. Tears will finally flow at checkout. A pack of three unionions costs 1.80 euros, or 60 cents per unit instead of 17 cents for an ordinary onion.
–
