Spring Onions
Spring onions are where the real difference begins.
Unlike green onions or scallions, spring onions are allowed to grow longer before harvesting.
As they mature, they begin developing a small bulb at the bottom.
Appearance
Spring onions usually have:
A round bulb
Thicker stems
Larger leaves
Firmer texture
The bulb may be white, yellow, or reddish depending on the variety.
Flavor
Spring onions taste stronger than scallions.
The bulb has a flavor much closer to a regular onion but is still sweeter and milder.
Many cooks roast or grill the bulb because it caramelizes beautifully.
Best Uses
Spring onions are excellent for:
Roasting
Grilling
Stir-frying
Soups
Pasta dishes
Vegetable sides
Salads
Both the bulb and greens can be eaten.
Chives
Chives are completely different in appearance.
Instead of thick stalks, they resemble thin blades of grass.
They’re much finer and more delicate than the other onion relatives.
Appearance
Chives have:
Thin green leaves
No white stem
No bulb
Very narrow blades
Fresh chives are usually sold in small bunches.
Flavor
Chives have the mildest onion flavor of all four vegetables.
Their taste is subtle enough that they rarely overpower other ingredients.
Best Uses
Chives are often used as a finishing herb.
They’re delicious sprinkled over:
Scrambled eggs
Cream cheese
Baked potatoes
Soups
Fish
Chicken
Salads
Dips
Because heat quickly softens their flavor, they’re often added just before serving.
Comparing Them Side by Side
Here’s a simple comparison:
Vegetable Bulb Flavor Best Use
Green Onion No Mild Raw or cooked
Scallion No Mild Raw or cooked
Spring Onion Small bulb Medium Grilled, roasted, sautéed
Chives No Very mild Garnish
Can They Be Substituted?
Sometimes.
Green Onions and Scallions
These are interchangeable in nearly every recipe.
Spring Onions
Spring onions can replace green onions in cooked dishes, but they’ll provide a stronger onion flavor.
If eaten raw, they’re usually more pungent.
Chives
Chives should not replace green onions in recipes requiring large amounts of onion because they’re much milder.
However, they make an excellent garnish when you simply want a hint of onion flavor.
Nutritional Benefits
see continuation on next page
For Complete Cooking STEPS Please Head On Over To Next Page Or Open button (>)
