Onions are one of Egypt’s most important and iconic agricultural products, with their cultivation dating back to the beginning of recorded history. They have always been an extremely important crop for Egypt historically, economically, and nutritionally; being used extensively as sustenance, medicine, and also ritualistic symbols.

      The Ancient Egyptians considered onions to be representations of eternal life and would commonly use them in their burial ceremonies.

      Onions were very common in the ancient egyptian society, and we can see proof of this from their many depictions of Onions in numerous carvings, paintings, and hieroglyphic content. Likely because Onions were a valuable health food, available to all levels of the social hierarchy and they played a major role in keeping the general population healthy and nourished as a whole.

     Nutritionally onions are micronutrient powerhouses, supplying a wide variety of beneficial vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals. Some of the most notable of these important nutrients are the various organosulfur compounds such as Allin, Diallyl Sulfide, and Allyl Methyl Sulfide. These highly bioavailable sulfur compounds have a variety of beneficial effects in our body and they greatly contribute to the synthesis of our bodies natural endogenously produced antioxidant called glutathione. This endogenous antioxidant is extremely important for both long term and short term health and it is made from sulfur, so consuming sulfur rich foods is an important step for maintaining adequate levels.

     Additionally, onions contain high levels of various polyphenol compounds such as the flavonol called quercetin or the anthocyanin called cyaniding 3-laminariobioside. These polyphenols each display their own unique profile of powerful health benefits and are very important nutrients for facilitating optimal cognitive functioning and adequate cardiovascular strength.

    Taxonomically, the onion producing species Allium Cepa is a member of the family Amaryllidaceae which is part of the class Magnoliopsida (Monotyledon), under the order of Asparagales.