Onion is so important to Filipinos that it is usually seen in our ginisa (sauté) which is indispensable in most Philippine dishes. Aside from its quite sweet and spicy taste, there’s more to enjoy about onions and among these are the ancient stories about it and its popular usages.

Like garlic, the onion’s origin is not yet established but it is believed that it was already being used by human beings as food thousands of years ago, before the Christian era.

Actually, through the centuries, onion has been known as the ‘food of the poor," the reason for this was that the production of onion was so abundant that it was sold cheaply compared to other vegetables. Because of this, it was widely consumed by the poor people. But the cost of the onion didn’t actually reflect its worth during those days.

Its spherical shape and concentric rings made the people think of it as a symbol of the universe and the sun god. According to the early people, the onion’s round layers represent heaven, earth, hell and the universe, and it became a powerful image of divine perfection.

The onion was also treated as a sacred object that people, especially the Egyptians, swore on as a guarantee of good faith. Aside from this, craftsmen sculpted the image of the onion on precious metals to be used as an offering to the gods.

Though the onion was known as food for the poor, it was grown widely in the palaces’ gardens. Some royal persons used onions to pay servants and it is written that an ancient Egyptian Princess spent 90 tons of gold to buy onions, which she paid to the laborers of her pyramid.

The onion also had a great part in the Israelites’ odyssey out of Egypt as led by Moses. In the book of Numbers it was mentioned that the onion, along with leeks and garlic, kept them alive and well during that hard time.

Uses

In ancient times, the onion has been known and was used for its healing properties and mystical significance. Egyptians believed that the soul of a deceased person will be reincarnated, so they put food and other offerings in the tomb to be on hand in the after life. They included onions because they believed that its strong smell will prompt the dead to breathe again.

While in Europe, they treated it as a magical charm that can ward off evil spirits, which for them caused diseases. Even Alexander the Great believed in its magical abilities like restoring courage, and so he fed his armies large quantities of it.

Aside from the onion’s mystical powers it was even more popular for its healing properties. One of its major medicinal uses was as an antiseptic; that’s why its juice was used to clean wounds during war. Aside from that, the onion was also used to heal burns, scurvy, bee stings, insect bites and athlete’s foot.

Actually, the early people believed that onion, like garlic, was a cure-all. A scientific study has supported old beliefs that eating onions not only prevents colds but also serious ailments.

The study says that chewing raw onions even for a short time can sterilize the mouth and throat, which can prevent digestive illnesses because of its strong anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties.

TWO SAUCE RECIPES:

• Dill Beurre Blanc for Chicken and Fish •

- boil half cup dry white wine with
chopped onions and reduce
in quarter
- add a cup of chicken stock and
reduce in half and add in ½ cup
cream, whisk
- strain to another and place on fire
to simmer
- add in 2 tablespoons chopped dill and
season with salt and pepper
(applicable to paesley, tarragon, and
spinach—adjust according to taste)

• Merchande De Vin Beurre for Beef and Duck •

- Boil chopped onions with glace d’
viande (meat drippings from roast
beef) with half cup of any portified
"port" wine and reduce in half
- Strain to another pan and simmer
- Add in 4 tablespoons chopped
onions
- Add in chopped parsley and turn
off fire
- Season with salt and pepper