White onion and yellow onion might seem like the same vegetable, but they are vastly different in terms of taste and what recipes you should use them for. Using the wrong type of onion for a recipe can result in a dish that is too strongly flavored, like onion or one where you can’t taste them at all.
The Differences Between White Onions Vs. Yellow Onions
1. Flavor
Yellow onions have a stronger, more pungent flavor than white onions. They are best used for recipes where the yellow onion will be cooked prior to consumption, such as soups, stews, and caramelized onion dishes.
White onions are more mild and have a sweeter flavor compared to yellow onions. They are advised for use on sandwiches and other raw onion recipes like salads and salsas.
2. Scent
Yellow onions, because of their stronger onion taste, also smell more pungent than white onions. In any recipe where you want to smell the onions in the dish, yellow onions should be used.
3. Color
The obvious difference between white and yellow onions is the color. White onions have a white or off-white papery skin and translucent white flesh. Yellow onions have a brownish skin with a yellow-white flesh.
4. Texture
White onions have a crunchier texture compared to yellow onions. The firm texture of white onions makes them suitable for recipes where a more crunchy texture is desired. Whereas, yellow onions tend to be a bit softer, making them more suitable for caramelizing.
5. Availability and Price
White onions are grown less often than yellow onions and, therefore, aren’t as available. As a result, white onions are not as commonly found in all regions and are often priced higher than yellow onions.
6. Usage
The usage of white and yellow onions differs in how they are consumed. Because of their more pungent flavor and aroma, yellow onions are often sautéed or caramelized and used for curries and soups. In contrast, the milder flavor and crisp texture of white onions makes them the preferable choice for raw consumption in salads and sandwiches.
The Similarities Between White and Yellow Onions
1. You Might Cry as Your Cut Them
Despite rumors that one type of onion is easier to cut than another, you will likely cry cutting both white and yellow onions. The only way you may be able to lessen these effects is by soaking the onions in water for 1 hour before cutting to lower the sulfur and scent, which is released when the onions are cut.
2. Size
Both white and yellow onions come in all sizes, from small to large. While the options at your specific grocery store may differ, this is not a valid way to tell these onions apart.
3. How They Are Grown
White and yellow onions both grow beneath the ground and start from seeds. The differences between yellow onions and white onions come from using different seeds to cultivate each product, and they are not variations of each other produced through varying grow methods.
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