Green Onion
Japanese Name
ねぎ
negi
Description
- Green onion, also called scallion or spring onion, is a vegetable with a long, thin green stalk and a small white bulb. It has a mild onion flavor and is often used as a garnish or ingredient in many dishes around the world.
History
- Green onions belong to the Allium family, which includes onions, garlic, leeks, chives, and shallots.
- They have been cultivated for over 5,000 years, originating in regions of Central Asia, possibly Iran or Pakistan.
- Ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans all used green onions for food and medicine.
- Green onions were introduced early to China, where they became a core ingredient in cooking and traditional medicine.
- From China, green onions spread to Korea and Japan, adapting to regional climates and cuisines.
- In Japan, negi has been cultivated since at least the Heian period (794–1185).
- It is a key ingredient in miso soup, soba, ramen, nabe (hot pot), and many other traditional dishes.
- There are two main types in Japan:
- 白ネギ (shiro-negi): long white-stemmed type, common in eastern Japan
- 青ネギ (ao-negi): thinner, greener type, common in western Japan
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