Based on Potandon Produce, the purplish hue discovered within the pores and skin and flesh of purple onions is owed to the presence of anthocyanins and flavonoids, compounds that may increase human well being by appearing as antioxidants that may assist to neutralize free radicals within the physique (through Medical News Today). Purple meals, corresponding to purple grapes, blackcurrants, and eggplant, are sometimes famous for being wealthy in these antioxidants. In the course of the life cycle of a plant, relying on its wants, the anthocyanins current within the plant’s leaves, petals, and fruits will produce colours of purple, purple, and blue (through Acta Physiologiae Plantarum 35).
Anthocyanins are answerable for many alternative pigments, together with people who make “blue” foods, corresponding to blueberries, look blue (or, extra precisely, purple) (through Kitchn). And simply as so-called “blue” meals are literally extra purple in coloration, purple onions are known as purple though they, too, are purple. Based on Allrecipes, purple onions might need earned their title as a result of all through historical past, their skins have been used to provide a pure purple dye. Allrecipes additionally notes that purple onions fluctuate broadly of their coloration, relying on their precise pressure and rising circumstances, with some onions popping out extra purple and others trying extra purple.
