What is the difference between Onions and Scallions?

Onions and Scallions are two examples of vegetables. Scallions are also onions, and they are most times called with different names. Scallions are known as spring onions, stick onions, green onions, etc. Scallion belongs to genus Allium, but its specie varies, and that's why we can have the different names listed above. On the other hand, Onion also belongs to genus Allium, and its specie is Allium Cepa, although there are other species of onions; Japanese onions, Egyptian onions, etc.

Onions are also known as garden onions or bulb onions. Another difference between scallions and onions can be noticed when you consider their appearance. Scallions do not have bulbs like onions, they are harvested once they reach maturity, and at this stage, they have long green leaves. That's why in some parts of the world, they are grown mainly as salad onions. Onions, on the other hand, are bigger than scallions, this is because they are harvested only when they have big matured bulbs.

Scallions do not form bulbs once they reach maturity. In Western countries, they are grown only as a salad onion or scallion, and they are already being gathered once there is a small bulb formation. Scallions are a smaller size than medium onions, and they can be cooked or eaten with mixed raw in salads. Scallions are mostly used in Asian cooking.

The scallion is also used for sauces, sandwiches, and curries for just a simple stir fry of vegetables. Onions are being harvested once they reach their full-blown bulbing. They are mainly used for their aroma in cooking. They have a stronger taste than scallions. This vegetable is often used in countries such as India, Pakistan, and Iran since onions are basic ingredients among curries. Also, in Western countries, onions are used as a side dish to fish and chips.

Cooking is a activity that takes some skill. You need to make sure that you have flavor in your food. To do that, you can add things that have strong flavors to them. They could be spices or vegetables like onions. Onions are known for being so strong that people’s eyes usually start to water because the vegetable is so strong. An onion is round, but scallions which are also added to food, are long and have to be cut.

They are most of the time sprinkled on top of the food and not necessarily cooked with something. You don’t cry when you cut scallion. The color is also different. The onions are usually white or a reddish color whereas scallions are almost always green.