Allium fistulosum

Allium fistulosum, the Welsh onion, also commonly called bunching onion, long green onion, Japanese bunching onion, and spring onion, is a species of perennial plant, often considered to be a kind of scallion.

This article is about bunching onion. For onion, see Onion.
Welsh onion
Allium fistulosum at a farm
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Amaryllidaceae
Subfamily: Allioideae
Genus: Allium
Species:
A. fistulosum
Binomial name
Allium fistulosum
Synonyms[1]
Welsh onions, raw
Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz)
Energy142 kJ (34 kcal)
6.5 g
Sugars2.18 g
Dietary fiber2.4 g
0.4 g
1.9 g
VitaminsQuantity
%DV†
Thiamine (B1)
4%
0.05 mg
Riboflavin (B2)
8%
0.09 mg
Niacin (B3)
3%
0.4 mg
Pantothenic acid (B5)
3%
0.169 mg
Vitamin B6
6%
0.072 mg
Folate (B9)
4%
16 μg
Vitamin C
33%
27 mg
Vitamin E
3%
0.51 mg
Vitamin K
184%
193.4 μg
MineralsQuantity
%DV†
Calcium
5%
52 mg
Iron
9%
1.22 mg
Magnesium
6%
23 mg
Manganese
7%
0.137 mg
Phosphorus
7%
49 mg
Potassium
5%
212 mg
Sodium
1%
17 mg
Zinc
5%
0.52 mg
Link to USDA Database entry
†Percentages are roughly approximated using US recommendations for adults.
Source: USDA FoodData Central

The species is very similar in taste and odor to the related common onion, Allium cepa, and hybrids between the two (tree onions) exist. A. fistulosum, however, does not develop bulbs, and possesses hollow leaves (fistulosum means "hollow") and scapes. Larger varieties of A. fistulosum, such as the Japanese negi, resemble the leek, whilst smaller varieties resemble chives. A. fistulosum can multiply by forming perennial evergreen clumps.[2][3] It is also grown in a bunch as an ornamental plant.

Names

The common name "Welsh onion" does not refer to Wales; indeed, the plant is neither indigenous to Wales nor particularly common in Welsh cuisine (the green Allium common to Wales is the leek, A. ampeloprasum, the national vegetable of Wales[4][5]). Instead, it derives from a near-obsolete botanical use of "Welsh" in the sense "foreign, non-native", as the species is native to China, though cultivated in many places and naturalized in scattered locations throughout Eurasia and North America.[1][6]

Historically, the A. fistulosum was known as the cibol.[7] In Cornwall, they are known as chibols, and in the west of Scotland as sybows.[8][9]

Other names that may be applied to this plant include green onion, salad onion, and spring onion. These names are ambiguous, as they may also be used to refer to any young green onion stalk, whether grown from Welsh onions, common onions, or other similar members of the genus Allium (also see scallion).[10]

Culinary use

A. fistulosum is an ingredient in Asian cuisine, especially in East and Southeast Asia. It is particularly important in China, Japan, and Korea, hence one of the English names for this plant, Japanese bunching onion.

In the West, A. fistulosum is primarily used as a scallion or salad onion, but is more widely used in other parts of the world, particularly East Asia.[11]

Jamaica

Known as escallion,[12] A. fistulosum is an ingredient in Jamaican cuisine, in combination with thyme, Scotch bonnet pepper, garlic, and allspice (called pimento). Recipes with escallion sometimes suggest leek as a substitute in salads. Jamaican dried spice mixtures using escallion are available commercially.

The Jamaican name is probably a variant of scallion, the term used loosely for the spring onion and various other plants in the genus Allium.

Japan

The Japanese name is negi (葱), which can also refer to other plants of the genus Allium, or more specifically naganegi (長葱), meaning "long onion". Common onions were introduced to East Asia in the 19th century, but A. fistulosum remains more popular and widespread.[11] It is used in miso soup, negimaki (beef and scallion rolls),[13] among other dishes, and it is widely sliced up and used as a garnish, such as on teriyaki or takoyaki.

  • Duck soba with negi
    Duck soba with negi

Korea
"Silpa" redirects here. For people with the name, see Shilpa.
See also: Allium × proliferum § Korea

In Korea, A. fistulosum along with A. × proliferum is called pa (파, "scallion"), while common onions are called yangpa (양파, "Western scallion"). Larger varieties, looking similar to leek and sometimes referred to as "Asian leek", are called daepa (대파, "big scallion"), while the thinner early variety is called silpa (실파, "thread scallion"). A similar scallion plant, A. × proliferum is called jjokpa (쪽파). Both daepa and silpa are usually used as a spice, herb, or garnish in Korean cuisine. The white part of daepa is often used as the flavour base for various broths and infused oil, while the green part of silpa is preferred as garnish. Dishes using daepa include pa-jangajji (pickled scallions), pa-mandu (scallion dumplings), pa-sanjeok (skewered beef and scallions), and padak (scallion chicken), which is a variety of Korean fried chicken topped with shredded raw daepa. Dishes using silpa include pa-namul (seasoned scallions), pa-jangguk (scallion beef-broth soup), and pa-ganghoe (parboiled scallion rolls) where silpa is used as a ribbon that bundles other ingredients.

  • Thick daepa type
    Thick daepa type
  • Thin silpa type
    Thin silpa type
  • Pa-namul (seasoned blanched scallions)
    Pa-namul (seasoned blanched scallions)
  • Pa-muchim (seasoned shredded scallions) eaten with samgyeopsal (grilled pork belly)
    Pa-muchim (seasoned shredded scallions) eaten with samgyeopsal (grilled pork belly)
  • Pa-sanjeok (skewered beef and scallions)
    Pa-sanjeok (skewered beef and scallions)
  • Padak (scallion chicken)
    Padak (scallion chicken)

Russia

A. fistulosum is used in Russia in the spring for adding green leaves to salads.

  • A. fistulosum
    A. fistulosum
  • Grown in Guizhou, China
    Grown in Guizhou, China
  • Flower
    Flower
  • A. fistulosum – MHNT
    A. fistulosum – MHNT

See also

References
  1. "Allium fistulosum". World Checklist of Selected Plant Families. Kew Royal Botanical Gardens. Archived from the original on 1 Oct 2013.
  2. "Floridata Profile". floridata.com.
  3. Thompson, Sylvia (1995). The Kitchen Garden. Bantam Books. ISBN 9780553081381.
  4. "The leek, national emblem of Wales". BBC Wales. 28 February 2013. Retrieved 30 December 2021.
  5. "Welsh Leeks secures protection". wales.gov. 29 November 2022. Retrieved 16 March 2023.
  6. "Welsh, adj. and n.". OED Online. Oxford University Press. March 2023. Def. 3.
  7. Ward, A: The Encyclopedia of Food and Beverage Archived 2010-02-12 at Archive-It, New York, 1911. Retrieved January 5, 2007.
  8. "sybow, n.". OED Online. Oxford University Press. March 2023.
  9. "chibol, n.". OED Online. Oxford University Press. March 2023. Def. 1.
  10. "chibol, n.". OED Online. Oxford University Press. March 2023. Def. 2.
  11. Fritsch, R.M.; N. Friesen (2002). "Chapter 1: Evolution, Domestication, and Taxonomy". In H.D. Rabinowitch and L. Currah (ed.). Allium Crop Science: Recent Advances. Wallingford, UK: CABI Publishing. p. 18. ISBN 0-85199-510-1.
  12. "MAJOR PESTS OF ESCALLION (ALLIUM FISTULOSUM) IN JAMAICA" (PDF). Ministry of Agriculture and Lands, Jamaica. November 2006. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-05-05. Retrieved 2015-03-15.
  13. "Recipe – Chicken Negimaki – NYTimes.com". The New York Times. August 13, 2010. Retrieved September 15, 2012.
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