Where do onions come from?

Onions (_Allium cepa_) belong to the Liliales order and are believed to have originated in Central Asia. Their exact origin is not precisely known, but they have been cultivated for thousands of years and are mentioned in ancient texts from Egypt, Greece, and Rome.

Onions are herbaceous biennial or perennial plants that grow from bulbs. They consist of concentric layers of modified leaves that overlap and form the edible bulb. The bulbs are typically brown, white, yellow, or red in color, and can vary in size and shape.

Today, onions are widely cultivated and consumed all over the world. They are used in various cuisines and preparations, adding flavor and aroma to dishes. Onions can be cooked in different ways, including sautéing, roasting, grilling, pickling, and more.

Major onion-producing countries include China, India, the United States, and Egypt, among others. These countries have extensive agricultural practices dedicated to cultivating different varieties of onions for local consumption and export.