Chopping onions is an emotional matter. For it is hard to suppress the tears that flow when chopping a fresh bulb. This is triggered by an evolutionary bio-trick of the plant to counter predators such as rodents. For example, the enzyme alliinase in the cell sap reacts with the sulfur-containing amino acid iso-alliin in the cell wall as soon as it is injured, according to REWE.
This is inevitably the case when cutting or squeezing the kitchen onion. Together with the oxygen in the air, a gas is then formed that irritates the surface of the eye. For many consumers, a reason to avoid the low-calorie and versatile vegetable. Until now. Because REWE is now offering a new variety of onion, exclusively in German grocery stores, in which this effect has been bred away. They are available in 350 grams - except in North Rhine-Westphalia - in more than 3,000 REWE stores nationwide. Nothing stands in the way of tearless and enjoyable preparation.
The innovative edible onion variety is called "Sunions". Besides the fact that it does not lead to moist eyes, it has other pleasant advantages: The white bulb has a mild and rather sweet taste, which intensifies somewhat over the storage period. It can be eaten raw as well as boiled, fried and baked. For the launch phase, the seed manufacturer and onion producer has chosen REWE as their sole distribution partner in Germany, for the time being. The innovative onions have been available in supermarkets since the beginning of February. Demand in the first few days is already promising and indicates that the "tearless" variety, which is currently still available in limited quantities, is meeting with consumer approval.
The onion is one of the oldest cultivated plants of mankind. It is said to have health-promoting properties and has a comparatively high water and low fat content. The German name comes from the Latin word "cepula" and has evolved through the Old High German "zwibolla" to the widespread name used today. In addition, there are many other dialect variants for the root vegetable in German-speaking countries: For example, in the Cologne area people speak of "Öllisch", in Hesse it is sometimes called "Zippel", in Bavaria "Zwiefel" is meant or in Brandenburg people buy "Bolle". Every German citizen eats 9.2* kilograms of onions per year. Last season, 763,000* tons were grown and harvested in Germany.
*Data from season 2019/2020, Source: Statista 2022
