An Allium for Everyone
I think we can all agree that the smell of butter and onions in a pan is one of the greatest smells of all time.
Allium is a powerhouse of a genus with over 700 species. Of those, we primarly interact with 3-4 species of Allium in our every day lives. Allium cepa - onions and scallions, Allium sativum - garlic, Allium schoenoprasum - chives, and Allium ampeloprasum - leeks. If you forage, you also may be familiar with Allium tricoccum - wild leeks/ramps.
Check out the varieties we’re growing this year in the green panels…
Whatever the allium, they all have a delicious commonality - secondary metabolites. Care for a little chemistry? I promise it has to do with farming. And will lead to a more delicious dinner.
Plants are making building blocks for their well-being all the time. Their primary metabolites are for basic viability; things like carbohydrates, fats, and protiens. They make these to conduct photosynthesis, grow, store energy, and for other intrinsic survival functions. The other type of materials our flora friends create are secondary metabolites. These are compounds that do everything from run a plant’s immune system, to attracting (or repelling) certain organisms, to responding to stress in their environment.
For those one rung up in the food web (you included!) these secondary metabolites (there are literally millions of them) are the sources of micronutrients. medicine, and flavor that are unique to each plant. But they’re not crafted out of only thin air.
Carbon (C) and Nitrogen(N) are two of the most important elements for plant metabolism, as both are molecular building blocks of life. Therefore, the balance of C and N in soil is tantamount to the success of all plant life, not just in agriculture.
However, because the annual crops that humans grow and consume aren’t around for long enough to engage in the long-term ecosystem and build the soil themselves, a lot of time and energy is necessary to properly care for the soil and ensure that macronutrients like C and N are well balanced. That’s why engaging in regenerative practices like we do at StonesThrow is so important. We have a responsibility to care for the land in reciprocation for all that it feeds us!
So, what if C and N are not well balanced?
Well, plants are masters of efficiency. Sentiment never really gets in the way. And secondary metabolites are a little more expensive to make, so if an onion doesn’t have healthy, rich soil with a proper balance of macro and micronutrients, it will funnel its resources into making the simpler stuff, or the primary metabolites.
No use in spending precious money on the bells and whistles. We’ve got to stay alive here! What does that mean for those of us seeking a fragrant sauce or stir-fry?
Well, to put it plainly, it just won’t be as good. The onion couldn’t afford to make the tasty sulfoxides, which are secondary metabolites, our palate so rapturously enjoys.
What’s more, couldn’t afford to prepare more defensive measures, or even build a flower to pollinate its fellows. Plants make sacrifices too, you know.
There’s a good deal of research out there describing the merits of regenerative farming for crop composition: higher concentrations of phytochemicals (which help with our gut biota, inflammation, and even neurotransmitter efficiency!), higher concentrations of micronutrients, better storage quality, and of course better taste.
In the case of alliums, you can be sure that the concentration of sulfoxides in our green onions are some of the highest; that is, they taste dang good (Not to mention the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties!).
Now go tell your friends about it. You’re practically a botanist now!
