Onion-the most essential member of Kitchen

Onion,potato&Tomato are the Three most essential members of Kitchen all over the world irrespective of vegetarians or non- Vegetarians. Onion Family is a large and diverse one containing more than 500 Species.Onion being very small and their tissues leave little or no trace,there is no conclusive evidence about it's origin.However,many Botanists and food historians believe that Onion originated in Central Asia.Some believed that mostly this happened in Iran and West Pakistan. In India,Maharashtra,Gujrat,Rajastan,Punjab,Haryana,karnataka,Tamil naadu and Andhra Pradesh cultivate Onion in Different seasons. This is one item of vegetable that brings Tears to the eyes of Government every year due to seasonal scarcity and Sometimes due to hoarding by Manufacturers and Suppliers and consequent price increase. Of late the price of Onion roared all over India especially in Maharashtra where it even touched Rs80/- a Kilo. The government is planning the ban on export and hoarding which is the basic reason for the roaring of Prices. Most recently ,there was a news on media/ Internet that 636 quintal onion worth Rs30 Lakhs, kept for black- marketing due to the roaring price trend, was found in a raid in Raipur in Chathighat.This ,in fact,prompted me to attempt this Blog. In India,we can not imagine about preparing a delicious meals without Onion.Onion is very widely used all over India as the most popular ingredient of any kitchen irrespective of Rich or poor people.Every year it has become a common feature that the price of Onion used to rise without any attempt to arrest it by the authorities. There is no clear Policy in this regard with a definite control on the price of Onion. No wonder it brings tears to the eyes of poor,Rich and the Government. In the olden days,onion used to present regularly in the plate of poor people also and one never thought it would disappear from their plate due to abnormal increase in price.A decade ago onion used to sell at very reasonable price and there was no reason to imagine that one day it would disappear from the plates due to roaring price. The most surprising fact about Onion is that The prices rise year after year,but our Government does not take Effective steps to provide Onion at reasonable rates to the people.Onion is one such item that affect almost all families in India the price is not stable.There is History which tells the story of many Political parties lost Elections due to the roaring Price of Onion. There had been some attempts by some states and Union in the past to sell onion through their outlet at controlled rates.But this never prevailed as a permanent solution to the problem. Some of the reasons for the increase in Prices of Onion are : 1)Damage of crop due to rain.Rain is such a phenomenon that it is a Boon .But often it turn out to be a curse as in the case of Onion.We cry foul when there is no rain .we also cry foul when there is excess rain.so draught and Flood are reasons for any Government for constant worry.So naturally the people.in a democracy there are ways and means to control the prices .But are not effectively done by the Government. 2)High demand of Onion. 3)bad weather 4)Problems in the chain of Supply. 5)the export of Onion. 6)Presence of middlemen in distribution. 7) absence of a clear cut Policy on Onion. While item 1)& 3) above are beyond the control of Government the remaining items can be looked into earnestly an decision taken favourably to the consumer Let us hope Good days are coming ahead in this regard. The medicinal properties of Onion: Onions can vary In size,Shape,color and Flavour.The most common varieties are red,yello and white .Flavors are sweet,juicy with mild flavor,Sharp spicy and pungent.often,the flavors depend upon the season and place where they are cultivated. The health benefits of consuming Onion are briefly as under: It reduces the risk of different type of cancers,improving mood,and maintaining the Health of Skin. And Hair. Onion family Known as allium vegetables have been studied extensively in relation to CancerEspecially Stomach and colorectal Canceers.Their beneficial and preventive properties are likely due in Part to their Organosulfur compounds.Although the exact mechanism through which these compounds inhibits cancer is not clearly known,The possible theory available is that it could inhibit tumours growth and Prevention of free radical formation.Onions are also source of the strong Antioxidant Vitamin C and helps to combatThe formation of Free radicals known to cause cancer. Garlic with white color & Pungent smell belonging to onion family is found to be helpful for the health of heart. So as far as possible include Onion in one's diet could help leading a healthy life. Onion is helpful to prevent colon Cancer and Prostate cancer also according to studies carried out. So let us welcome Onion to our kitchen warm heartedly with the hope that the government would take measures on a permanent basis to keep the price of Onion steadily by including it in the good days to come. Sreedharan Mundanat 26th of August 2015