What is Onion?
{{Taxobox | name = Onion | image = Onions.jpg | image_width = 240px | image_caption = Onions | regnum = [[Plant]]ae | divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]] | classis = [[Monocotyledon|Liliopsida]] | ordo = [[Asparagales]] | familia = [[Alliaceae]] | genus = ''[[Allium]]'' | species = '''A. cepa''' | binomial = ''Allium cepa'' | binomial_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]] }} [[File:Nature_morte_avec_oignons,_par_Paul_Cézanne,_Musée_d'Orsay.jpg|thumb|[[Paul Cézanne]], 1896-1898]] '''Onions''' are [[plant]]s in the [[genus]], ''Allium''. They are eaten as [[vegetable]]s. Most species of onions have [[bulb]]s that people can eat. They have a strong [[flavour]] and a very distinctive [[Odor|smell]]. Onions have been grown for a long time. They were probably first grown in [[Ancient Egypt]], together with [[leek]] and [[garlic]], but maybe earlier. Now, most of the world's cultures eat onions. == Cultivation == Farmers and gardeners can grow onions from seeds or from bulbs. If they plant seeds, they must later pull out most of the young plants so the rest can grow better. This is called 'thinning'. A different way to plant onions is to plant young bulbs. This is faster, but the onions that grow this way are weaker than the onions that started as seeds. == In food == Onions can be eaten in different ways: * [[frying|Fried]] sliced or chopped onions are often served on [[hot dogs]]. ** Onion rings are sliced, the slices dipped in batter, and deep-fried so the batter is crisp and onion is cooked soft. * [[Pickle]]d onions are eaten as a relish with [[Chips (food)|chips]] or with [[salad]]. * Raw onions: ** Sliced (cut into flat layers) for [[hamburger]]s and sandwiches ** Chopped or minced fine in salads or as garnish on cooked foods * Cooked in soups, [[stew]]s and [[curry|curries]] * [[Roasting|Roasted]] whole alongside roasted meat == Why onions make eyes water == When cutting an onion, the [[cells]] of the onion start to open. Then, some chemicals react. When one chemical floats through the air and reaches