Innovative onions are changing the cooking landscape for New Zealanders by offering a distinct taste profile and reducing eye irritation during preparation. Marketed as Tearless Onions, they feature a slightly sweeter flavor compared to traditional onions and come in convenient packaging for raw and cooked meal applications.
Ryan McMullen, General Manager of Fruit and Veg at Woolworths New Zealand, stated, "We are thrilled to be able to offer Tearless Onions to our customers." He noted the common kitchen challenge of eye irritation, emphasizing the product's potential impact. "It's a testament to our commitment to providing innovative and convenient solutions that make everyday life easier."
Scott Harvey, Onion Crop Manager at Wilcox, shared insights on the onion variety, known as 'Happy Chop.' He highlighted that the development journey involved learning from Woolworths Australia and Nunhems, focusing on its lower pyruvic acid content, which minimizes tear production. Despite this, the onion maintains a sweetness on par with standard varieties. "It's an onion designed for everyone who loves the flavour but not the tears. Our long-standing partnership with Woolworths is something we deeply value," Harvey noted.
The collaboration aims to make these onions widely accessible, ensuring a broad consumer base can experience the developed product. Harvey expressed enthusiasm about the partnership's future in bringing 'Happy Chop' to consumers, recognizing it as an opportunity to enhance everyday cooking experiences.
Source: SupermarketNews