Why do they call a what a red onion Red when its Really Purple in color?

Question

Just wondering why they dont call it purple instead of red..I mean it doesnt look red in color at all..lol

Answer 1

Good question for which I have no answer. Just like they say, someone is beet red but beets aren't red, they're purple too. Go figure. :)

Answer 2

The red onion was given its name because it has a reddish tint and hue to it, even though it looks purple. The onion is believed to have originated in Asia, though it is likely that onions may have been growing wild on every continent. Dating back to 3500 BC, onions were one of the few foods that did not spoil during the winter months. Our ancestors must have recognized the vegetable's durability and began growing onions for food. Onions came in a variety of sizes, colors and shapes. They are often broken down into three categories: spring/summer, storage, and pearl onions. Spring/summer onions are grown primarily from fall to spring in warm weather areas and have a soft flesh and a mild or sweet taste. These varieties are generally shipped right after harvesting. Storage onions have a firm flesh, dry, crackly outer skins and have a pungent flavor. After a brief period of drying, these onions are stored for several months before shipping. Pearl onions are often called white onions and are densely planted to make the onions smaller. There are no nutritional differences among these onion types. Onions also come in three colors — yellow, red, and white. Approximately 88 percent of the onion crop is devoted to yellow onion production, with about 7 percent red onions and 5 percent white onions. Yellow onions are full-flavored and are a reliable standby for cooking almost anything. Yellow onions turn a rich, dark brown when cooked and give French Onion Soup its tangy sweet flavor. The red onion, with its wonderful color, is a good choice for fresh uses or in grilling and char-broiling. White onions are the traditional onion used in classic Mexican cuisine. They have a golden color and sweet flavor when sautéed. Now you know more than you wanted to know about red onions:)

Answer 3

Red and blue make purple so I guess they are partly right.

Answer 4

Its Blueish red

Answer 5

Maybe for the same reason they call a goldfish gold when it's really orange!

Answer 6

I have wondered the same thing before. Lol.

=]

Answer 7

haha..thats a good question...