Sunions, a new tearless and sweet onion, made its debut in select supermarkets this winter. Sunions are described as having a flavor profile that is consistently sweet, mild and crunchy.
The variety was developed through an all-natural cross-breeding program over the course of three decades. Unlike other onions, Sunions become sweeter in storage. The volatile compounds responsible for tearing and pungent flavor decrease over time, creating a tearless, sweet and mild onion. The onions must be certified to be both tearless and sweet before shipping to grocery stores.
Last year, Sunions were grown in trials and tested by consumers pre-disposed to tearing when cutting onions. Sunions were preferred 5-to-1 over a leading onion variety and rated significantly less irritating to the eyes compared to the other onion.
Currently, Sunions are grown only in Nevada and Washington.
