Used as a raw or cooked basic ingredient in recipes of all kinds from all over the world, the onion is a biennial herbaceous plant, flowering the second year of cultivation. Known by all those who are fond of cooking, its characteristic irritant property, caused by thiopropanal sulfoxide and which has brought so many chefs to tears! Rich in carbohydrates and dietary fibre, it also contains calcium and magnesium, and especially potassium.

As with garlic, onion seeds can be grown in batches throughout the year, as the bulbs store well for a long time and can be consumed both raw at harvest or months later. It is a vegetable that likes sunlight, and although it tolerates the cold well in its early stages, once the bulb develops it appreciates higher temperatures. It is usually sown in spring, although some varieties of winter onion can also be sown in early autumn.

Below we offer an excellent selection of some of the best onion varieties, don't hesitate to leave a comment and tell us which one is your favourite!