Description: Onion granules are dehydrated, ground onion that are commonly used as seasoning. It is a common ingredient in seasoned salt and spice mixes, such as beau monde seasoning. Some varieties are prepared using toasted onion. White, yellow, and red onions may be used. Onion granules are a commercially prepared food product that have several culinary uses. Onion powder can also be homemade.
Health Benefits:
- Onions are nutrient-dense, meaning they’re low in calories but high in vitamins and minerals.
- Onions contain antioxidants and compounds that fight inflammation, decrease triglycerides, and reduce cholesterol levels — all of which may lower heart disease risk.
- Their potent anti-inflammatory properties may also help reduce high blood pressure and protect against blood clots.
- Eating vegetables of the Allium genus like garlic and onions has been linked to a lower risk of certain cancers, including stomach and colorectal.
- Eating onions may help control blood sugar, which is especially significant for people with diabetes or prediabetes.
- Onions can fight potentially dangerous bacteria, such as Escherichia coli (E. coli), Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Bacillus cereus. Furthermore, onion extract has been shown to inhibit the growth of Vibrio cholerae, a bacteria that is a major public health concern in the developing world
Locations of Harvest
Time period of harvest:
Harvest process: Since machine harvest is a rougher harvesting process compared to hand harvest, it can cause damage to the onions. For this reason, only the yellow and sometimes the red onions are machine harvested. Yellow onions are hardier onions and can better withstand the mechanical harvest. At the start of the season, from June to late July, the yellow onions are hand harvested and then from the middle to end of the season, the yellow onions are machine harvested. Red onions can also be machine harvested later in the season as well, but white onions are never machine harvested.
Dehydration process: Commercial onion granules are prepared using dehydration, freeze-drying, vacuum-shelf drying and flow drying. Some commercial onion granules are irradiated as treatment against potential microbial contamination. It readily absorbs water upon contact, so commercial varieties may be packaged in airtight containers with a liner atop the container. Onion granules with a moisture content of 4–5 percent are prone to caking when stored in warmer environments, with increased temperatures corresponding to a shorter time for the occurrence of caking. Of general acceptance is that commercial onion granules is around ten times stronger in flavor compared to fresh onion.