This archive report was first published on 24 July 2019.
Published on July 24, 2019, by Faith Ndungi, a nutrition expert at Egerton University's Department of Human Nutrition.
Onions, garlic, and leeks are part of the allium family, which includes shallots, chives, and other related plants. These ingredients are not only flavorful but also packed with nutrients, making them a great addition to various dishes.
Onions are a good source of vitamin C, B6, biotin, chromium, calcium, and fibre. They come in different varieties, including white, yellow, red, and purple onions. White onions have a sharper flavour and are more tender than yellow onions, while red onions are sweet and mild, making them perfect for eating raw.
Garlic, on the other hand, is a plant made up of multiple cloves, each with its own papery leaves and thick storage leaves. It's categorized into hard-neck and soft-neck varieties, with hard-neck having a milder flavour. Garlic is also used for its health benefits, including lowering cholesterol levels and reducing blood pressure.
Leeks are long, thick-stemmed plants with solid, flat leaves that grow from the base of the plant. They're sweeter than onions and have a milder flavour, making them perfect for soups, sauces, and stews. Chives, another member of the allium family, have a mild flavour and are often used as a garnish or added to dishes for their flavour and texture.
When it comes to cooking, onions and garlic are staples in many cuisines. Yellow onions are great for making onion soup, while red onions add a pop of colour to salads and sandwiches. Green onions are often used as a garnish, and multiplier onions are a great variety for growing at home.
Shallots, with their intense flavour and small size, are perfect for adding to salad dressings and sauces. Sweet onions, on the other hand, are ideal for making onion rings due to their sweeter flavour and larger size.
When growing alliums, it's essential to note that they prefer well-drained soil with high organic matter and sandy soils. They cannot thrive in heavy clay soils or areas with standing water.
