Health Benefits of Scallions vs. Health Benefits of Shallots

Shallots vs. Scallions

What is the difference between shallots and scallions? Are the health benefits of scallions different from the health benefits of shallots?

Simply put, shallots are scallions. The term scallions has incorrectly been used to refer to a variety of onion types, including green onions.

Shallots/scallions consist of a cluster of bulbs that can be divided into sections. Shallots belong to the same family as onions, garlic, scallions and chives. In fact, there are over 800 known species in the genus Allium to which these vegetables belong.

What is the Difference?

Consumers of onions and scallions often become confused when a recipe calls for shallots. This is probably because of the inadvertent and universal misuse of the term scallion. A shallot is a member of the Allium ascalonicum family. The term scallion can refer to shallots, green onions or spring onions.

(A green onion is an onion that has a bulb which has not matured. The term green onion can, therefore, refer to any onion which has an immature bulb.)

Why the Confusion?

Theophrastus was a Greek writer who lived between 372 - 287 BCE. He was considered the father of botany. He gave shallots the term “askolonion.” As centuries passed, this name was used to incorporate many other contemporary terms. Scallion was the term used for shallots, or bunching onions. Scallions has also become the term used for green onions, which are immature onions, not inherently scallions.

How to keep it straight? Green onions are immature onions; shallots are a cluster of small, mild bulbs; and scallions is a term used to refer to a variety of types of onion, depending upon geography.

What Are The Health Benefits?

Shallots are an outstanding source of vitamins A, B6, and C, as well as potassium, dietary fiber, and folic acid; all essential for overall body health. Shallots are also easily digested, taste milder and sweeter than other varieties of onions, and are easier to use in recipes. Shallots are rich in flavonoids, a class of water-soluble plant pigments, which act like anti-bacterials and have been shown to inhibit the development of cancer, heart disease and diabetes. One of the flavanoids shallots posses is quercetin, a known anti-inflammatory. Other flavanoids act as anti-virus and anti-allergenic agents.

Add Shallots To Any Diet

It is easy to add shallots to any diet. Make sure you choose fresh shallots. Depending on the variety, they can be red, whitish or reddish brown. They should feel firm to the touch and the bulbs should be clustered. They can be used in any meal which calls for onions if you wish to add a milder, sweeter flavor. The health benefits of shallots are clear, the preparation of shallots is easy, so why not add shallots to your diet today?

References

Natural-Environment.com: Shallots Nutrition Facts - www.natural-environment.com

Shallots: Shallots - www.innvista.com