Does the Walla Walla Sweet onion now have more competition in the sweet onion market?
Grown not far from us in Prosser, Washington(WA), the Veri-Vidalia or VeriSweet onion is making claims to be the "finest sweet onion on the planet". (
The sweet spot: Veri-Vidalia)
Similar to our local vineyards and the taste of wine, the soil and weather has a large effect on the on the sweetness of the onions. Soil is usually Volcanic and Alluvial. Volcanic soils normally contain sulfurs that generate Pyruvic acids. Alluvial soils are formed by silt from river beds that form a soft, rich soil bed. Alluvial soils contain fewer sulfurs and make for milder, sweeter onions.
The cold winters and warm dry summers with cool nights make perfect conditions to aid the "sweet" in sweet onions as this also aids in reduction of Pyruvic acids.
A unique feature of the VeriSweet is that they don't use standard fertilizer, they take a different approach. "After much research we have discovered the perfect sweet onion plant food:
Seaweed".
VeriSweet - Seaweed Fertilizer
I would have to guess some of our local Walla Walla Sweet Onion growers would argue that their onions would be "the finest sweet onion".
Walla Walla Sweet Onion Growers and Shops
Posted on May 15, 2005 11:05 |
Sweet Onions
