Why is Yalta onion so good and how to distinguish it from a fake

Yalta onion is a popular vegetable among gourmets. It has a milder taste and less pronounced aroma than varieties from other regions, does not cause lacrimation, is suitable for preparing salads, side dishes, and real craftsmen even make jam from it.

Why is Yalta onion so good?

Yalta, or Crimean, onions, like most other onions, are biennial. The birthplace of the famous sweet vegetable is the village of Zaprudnoye, located along the highway on the southern coast of Crimea. Onions are recognizable due to their purple color and pleasant sweetish taste. It is recommended to be included in the diet to strengthen the immune system and protect against infections and viruses. It is also allowed in the diet menu.

general characteristics

In order for a vegetable to grow with pronounced properties inherent only to it, a special climate and weather conditions are required. Clay or slate soil suits it. All over Russia, about 100 tons of Yalta onions are now grown per year, so experts say that it is impossible to buy it anywhere except Crimea.

Crimean turnips grow dense and large feathers; they look waxy. On average, one specimen weighs up to 150 g, and the arrows reach 120 cm. The greenery of the plant takes a very long time to form, so it is grown only with the help of seedlings. The total ripening period is about 150 days.

Reference. The scales of the Yalta onion variety are difficult to separate. If they can be easily separated by hand, then it is a fake - a regular variety, tinted with manganese.

For storage The vegetable is not suitable as it contains a lot of water and sugar. However, it has beneficial properties and contains many essential oils, vitamins, and antioxidants.

Crimean onion:

• activates the beneficial amino acid cysteine ​​in the body, which promotes the elimination of toxins and synthesizes collagen;
• reduces bad cholesterol, improves the functioning of the cardiovascular system;
• increases the level of stomach acidity, activating digestive processes;
• has an antitumor effect due to allicin content;
• acts as an anthelmintic.

Experts recommend the vegetable to those who have problems with potency, suffer from frequent colds and other ENT diseases. The optimal daily amount is 100 g, otherwise an allergic reaction may occur.

Where does it grow?

This vegetable is grown only on the southern coast of the peninsula. It is considered one of the calling cards of Crimea. Along with other attractions in the form of shells, grapes, wine and exotic fruits, Yalta onions are sent to different regions in whole bunches. However, it is quite difficult to buy an original product.

Onions are grown in accordance with all technologies in the villages of Lavrovoe and Zaprudnoye. The settlements are located a few kilometers from Alushta, the village of Pushkino, which can be reached by driving along the Yalta-Simferopol highway. Also in recent years, the harvest has been harvested in Blue Bay and the village. Opolznevoye, not far from the famous resort of Simeiz.

This crop was brought to the territory of Crimea from the island of Madeira in the Atlantic Ocean. Initially, they tried to cultivate it in the Botanical Garden in Nikita, but only two small villages turned out to be the most suitable areas.

Distinctive features

To really avoid making a mistake when purchasing, taste the onion - it is sweetish and not spicy. However, not every seller allows this.

Crimean onions are recognized by their characteristic features:

• no pungent odor;
• bright red or purple tint of scales;
• medium-sized fruits;
• slightly flattened onion;
• slightly retracted root part;
• varnished head, while fakes have a matte peel.

The internal plates have a thickness of no more than 6-7 mm, there are up to 7 of them.

How to distinguish Yalta onions from fakes

A fake can be immediately recognized by its taste. It lacks the characteristic sweetness. Peeling Yalta onions does not irritate the mucous membranes of the eyes and nose, since it does not have a pronounced pungent odor.

How to choose the right one when purchasing

When buying vegetables at the market, lightly peel the peel. If there is no pronounced onion smell, then it is a Crimean variety. When cut, the layers have a pale pink color.

The vegetable has a short shelf life. It ripens in mid to late July: buy only during this period. On the roads of Crimea, buyers are often deceived by offering ordinary turnips, tinted with special preparations during cultivation.

Reference. The soils of Yalta, where Crimean onions grow, contain a large amount of Tauride shale. This material accumulates heat during a sunny day and then prevents the soil from cooling at night. This is one of the main factors determining the specific taste of the bulbs.

Main features

It is difficult for an inexperienced buyer to determine whether a Yalta onion is fake or real on the counter. However, some signs will definitely indicate whether the product is worth purchasing.

Differences in appearance

The main feature of the variety is the bright purple color of the turnips. Unlike other onion varieties, Yalta onion has a flat, slightly rounded and large shape. It has much thicker inner layers compared to other bulbs. They also have purple trim. The peel is dense and thick.

Reference. In Ancient Egypt, it was believed that onions were a powerful aphrodisiac. Therefore, the priests were forbidden to eat it, and the newlyweds were offered the product in the morning after their wedding night.

Difference in taste and smell

The Crimean onion itself is devoid of sharpness, bitterness and a strong smell, so in salads and other dishes it does not interfere with the taste of other components. After him use You don’t have to worry about bad breath. This is a juicy and satisfying product that will leave only a light, characteristic aftertaste.

In order to preserve the maximum amount of nutrients and vitamins in vegetables, it is not recommended to heat them. After the first five minutes of cooking or frying, the complex of valuable substances, including vitamin C, is almost completely destroyed.

Features of growing Yalta onions

To grow a high-quality crop with characteristic taste properties, special climatic conditions are required. However, some gardeners try to grow at least a few heads on their plot in different regions.

Landing

Crimean onions are obtained only from seeds. Preparations begin in mid-February. Use wooden or plastic containers filled with a suitable substrate:

• turf soil;
• humus;
• mineral fertilizers (70-80 g).

Planting material is sent into a layer of soil at least 15 cm thick; it is pre-soaked for 20-22 hours to increase germination.After wet processing, the seeds are dried.

Form grooves in the soil and place the seeds at a distance of at least 1 cm from each other. Sprinkle everything on top with humus and lightly compact it. The top layer is a little fine sand. Containers with seedlings are covered with polyethylene and left in a ventilated room at a temperature not lower than +20°C. After 6-8 days, the first seedlings should appear.

After the formation of the 4th leaf, picking will be required. The seedlings are removed from the container, the root part and leaves are slightly shortened. After this, the plants are sent to open ground. Choose a sunlit area, without drafts and with sufficient nutrients.

Important! When planting, consider the rules of crop rotation. Yalta onions are planted in areas where white cabbage and greens, potatoes and tomatoes grew. Soils after any varieties of onions are not suitable.

Care

Yalta onions need constant loosening of the soil, weeding and regular watering. Irrigate the soil once every 5-6 days, taking into account climatic and weather conditions. For 1 m², 20-30 liters of water with a temperature of at least +22°C are required. The most optimal method of moistening is along furrows instead of sprinkling. This will prevent fungal infections and mold.

When weeds appear, the beds are weeded. For active development, the culture is fed. Fertilizers are applied at intervals of 10-12 days after planting in open ground.

Use:

• a solution of 5 liters of water, 3 g of potassium chloride, 10 g of superphosphate and 5 g of urea;
• 100 g of yeast diluted in 10 liters of water;
• chicken manure with water in a ratio of 1:10.

Excessive fertilization, like insufficient fertilization, is harmful to the plant and will affect its growth and taste.

Watering is stopped 3 weeks before the planned harvest.This will allow the turnips to form normally and will not turn out watery.

Disease and pest control

Crimean onions are characterized by resistance to diseases and pests. Most often, a threat to the harvest occurs when there is excess moisture in the soil or improper watering. The root part of the plant rots, and then the turnip also deteriorates.

Sometimes gardeners are faced with downy mildew, a fungal disease that quickly affects large areas of land.

For prevention use:

• 1% solution of Bordeaux mixture - after rooting seedlings in open ground;
• 4% Arcerida solution - 20-21 days after the first treatment;
• re-use Arcerid after another 20 days.

When all agricultural work is performed and proper care is taken, the risk of developing diseases is minimal. The plant tolerates unfavorable weather well, but at the slightest damage to the turnips, pathogenic microorganisms enter them. The presence of pests on the site is indicated by drooping tops and slower growth.

One of the most unwanted guests is the onion fly. An adult insect is not dangerous. The threat is posed by the eggs and larvae laid by it, which destroy almost half of the bulb. Thrips, onion moths, and secretive proboscis are also common.

For prevention, special complex preparations and folk remedies are used:

• sprinkling the beds with tobacco dust;
• scattering ground red pepper over the area;
• sprinkling with crushed wood ash.

It is advisable to plant carrots or garlic next door. These crops repel pests with a specific smell.

Collection, storage and use of crops

A characteristic feature of Crimean onions is that they ripen by the middle or end of July. It was at this time that numerous bundles of vegetables appeared on the highways of Crimea, offered to tourists.

The variety is not suitable for long-term storage. The maximum possible shelf life at humidity up to 50% and temperature +15°C is up to 2 months. It is advisable to consume this product immediately after growing or purchasing, while it still contains useful substances. A convenient way to store it is in bundles. Vegetables folded in layers or in bulk spoil quickly.

Conclusion

Yalta onions are added to vegetable salads, meat marinades, and consumed in slices. This delicacy does not require additional seasonings, as it has a unique taste.

The southern Crimean coast is best suited for growing Yalta onions, but many gardeners are making every effort to get a harvest in their beds in other regions of Russia. To do this, take into account the rules of planting and care, provide suitable growth conditions and select high-quality seed material.