White Onion

White onion from Alibaug is world-famous. It is totally white with a sweet taste and medicinal properties. Alibaug is known for its white onion equally as its exotic beaches. Their flavour is different from the onions grown in other regions.

This white onion is characterised by its white color with the shine of a pearl and skilfully woven braid. Its medicinal properties are well-known. It has gained place in the global market along with the country. Recently, the white onion from Alibaug has received a GI (Geographical Indication) tag.

Farming –

These onions are planted in the months of October-November. Once the harvesting of rice crop is completed, the field is ploughed and disked properly to eliminate debris and soil clods. Farmers prepare flat beds with small trenches running through them. The saplings are planted in the water-logged soil. The natural fertilisers, cow dung or remains of dried fish enhances the taste of onions. In its initial days, the plants are watered thrice a week. Later on, it is reduced to twice a week. In the earlier days, farmers used to pull water out of the well or use ‘rahat system’, a traditional irrigation technique.

Harvesting –

During their growing cycle, onions send up flower stock in the midst of the long green leaves. You cannot resist from comparing it to the pictures of Dandelions in the Android smartphones. Once the onion crop is ready for harvesting, it is pulled by hand and spread out on the soil. Rice straw is kept on top of it, till the onions dry. Have you heard of braiding onions? It’s like braiding hair. Take a dozen or so, onions that still have their stalks attached, and starting with three, gradually work more in as you go. The result is a beautiful, natural chain of onions that can be hung in your kitchen and taken from as needed. In the presence of early morning dew, the onions are braid.

The braid is hung to a bamboo stick and kept in a cool, dark location in the house. These onions stay fresh till the end of monsoon. This white onion has an awesome taste when relished with fish curry and rice. Instead of cutting the onion, smash it with your fist. The combination of smashed onion with roasted papad is too good. You will forget the taste of Oriental or Continental food.

Uses –

The dual benefits, being sweet to eat and having medicinal properties make them an important part of your diet. Onion is an indispensable ingredient widely used in cuisines across the globe. They come with an extremely impressive nutrient profile. The onion is not only used to treat cough and cold, fever but also applied in case of minor cuts. It has antiseptic, antibiotic, carminative and antimicrobial properties. If a person who has fainted smells the crushed onion, he will recover.

These white onions are available in Alibaug and nearby region in plenty. In summer season, many roadside vendors sell these onions. There is a famous quote “Some memories are unforgettable, remaining ever vivid and heart-warming”. Travel to home not only with the unforgettable memories of Alibaug but also with Konkan’s famous foodstuff (Konkani meva). You would definitely buy the white onion, an integral part of this Konkani delicacy.