topic Re: VIDALIA ONION ISSUE in Recipes

VIDALIA ONION ISSUE

WORKING GAL — Thu, 28 Apr 2022 21:42:05 GMT

I recently purchased 2 Vidalia onions from a local grocery store here in So. Ca. The label said Vidalia Onion from Shuman Farms in Georgia. When I sliced it, it made my eyes tear and it was very strong to the taste. It was not mild and there was no sweetness at all. We had just watched a TV show about how these onions are grown and how they differed from regular onions because of the soil in a number of counties in Georgia. The ow ner of Shuman Farms was interviewed at length. What has been your experience with Vidalias and does anyone know about Shuman Farms?

Re: VIDALIA ONION ISSUE

LizzieInSRQ — Thu, 28 Apr 2022 21:52:46 GMT

Their website is shumanfarmsga.com

They would be the best source of information and might even have customer service telephone line.

Re: VIDALIA ONION ISSUE

Drythe — Thu, 28 Apr 2022 21:56:08 GMT

@WORKING GAL

Too bad, hope they wern’t Too $.

Don’t know anything about that particular farm, however there is a Vidalia, Georgia, perhaps the onions were grown IN Vidalia, but are not Vidalia onions. The ones I know are mild & sweet.

I think It is a bit early for The actual Vidalia onions. I’m in NC and we don’t have them yet.

Are you in South Carolina, or Southern California?

Re: VIDALIA ONION ISSUE

WORKING GAL — Thu, 28 Apr 2022 21:59:43 GMT

@Drythe - I am in So. California. The owner of Shuman Farms said they are in a county in Georgia where Vidalias are grown. I might contact them.

Re: VIDALIA ONION ISSUE

Love my grandkids — Thu, 28 Apr 2022 22:00:20 GMT

@Drythe Spent most of my life in So. Ca. and it's California! Never have seen So. Carolina abbreviated as So. Ca.

Re: VIDALIA ONION ISSUE

Drythe — Thu, 28 Apr 2022 22:17:25 GMT

@Love my grandkids

Thank you.

I have seen it a few times, and try to be careful; ‘cause

Heaven help you if you get the two crossed up and confuse

a So. Californian for a S. Carolinian. 😉

I always try to make sure.

Re: VIDALIA ONION ISSUE

HLP — Thu, 28 Apr 2022 22:35:27 GMT

@WORKING GAL wrote:
I recently purchased 2 Vidalia onions from a local grocery store here in So. Ca. The label said Vidalia Onion from Shuman Farms in Georgia. When I sliced it, it made my eyes tear and it was very strong to the taste. It was not mild and there was no sweetness at all. We had just watched a TV show about how these onions are grown and how they differed from regular onions because of the soil in a number of counties in Georgia. The ow ner of Shuman Farms was interviewed at length. What has been your experience with Vidalias and does anyone know about Shuman Farms?

I buy for years now from www.VidaliaOnions.com This is a private owner, he and his wife, super nice people. Dial it up and you have a choice of what you want. I recieved my box last week.He also will let you know when his last shipment in late summer is, and then you can have them all winter. I bought for my sister too for a few years. He emails me every early Spring and late summer. He has all my personal things on file and it's very easy for me. Try them and see what you think, or just check him on the web.

Re: VIDALIA ONION ISSUE

50Mickey — Thu, 28 Apr 2022 22:44:24 GMT

I am from South GA. Shuman Farms is in Reidsville, Ga, Tattnall County and this is right next door to Vidalia in Toombs County. Before I retired I drove all over south Ga. and actually went to the farms to buy my onions. Driving into the onion farms while there were still onions to harvest was a treat. It smelled like baked onions. The onions grown in Tattnall Co. were called Glennville Sweets. They usually are not harvested until May. Yes they are considered sweet onions as onions go.

But keep in mind they are onions and they are not going to taste like apples. I just cut a sweet onion last night and had no problem with my eyes watering. I usually slice the onions with tomatoes and cukes and red bell pepper and add a vinaigrette dressing. I could eat them by the spoonful.

@WORKING GAL wrote:
I recently purchased 2 Vidalia onions from a local grocery store here in So. Ca. The label said Vidalia Onion from Shuman Farms in Georgia. When I sliced it, it made my eyes tear and it was very strong to the taste. It was not mild and there was no sweetness at all. We had just watched a TV show about how these onions are grown and how they differed from regular onions because of the soil in a number of counties in Georgia. The ow ner of Shuman Farms was interviewed at length. What has been your experience with Vidalias and does anyone know about Shuman Farms?

fulls.

Re: VIDALIA ONION ISSUE

CicadaSongs — Thu, 28 Apr 2022 23:58:26 GMT

@Drythe Vidalias have been available in eastern NC for at least 3 weeks. Harris Teeter, Publix, and Food Lion all have them.

Re: VIDALIA ONION ISSUE

Drythe — Fri, 29 Apr 2022 02:06:49 GMT

@CicadaSongs

In the foothills, hoven't seen 'em yet.

Seems everything depends on shipping availability.

Re: VIDALIA ONION ISSUE

novamc1 — Fri, 29 Apr 2022 13:48:35 GMT

@WORKING GAL

Was the eye-watering onion round in shape-- or was it flattened at top and bottom as a genuine Vidalia is?

Vidalias are not perfectly round spheres and too mild to produce tears.

"Sweet yellow onions" grown in south Georgia are available in stores all year and cultivated by some of the same farms as true Vidalia onions--but they're not really Vidalia onions grown from the correct seeds.

Vidalia onion season began in April. You should be able to find some in stores soon if not now.

Re: VIDALIA ONION ISSUE

depglass — Fri, 29 Apr 2022 14:37:12 GMT

This year's Vidalias in northern Michigan are mild and sweet. I have had the disappointing hotter ones in the past, including last year. No special price promotion this year, they are 1.79 a lb.

Re: VIDALIA ONION ISSUE

ECBG — Fri, 29 Apr 2022 15:38:48 GMT

I don't pay much attention to the sticker, but I always pick the onions that are more flat which is an indication of sweetness.

I just bought quite a few yesterday, our grocery store has them for 68 cents a pound. I keep them in our cool basement.

If, however, you want to sweeten your onion, put slices on a blow of cool vinegar water for about 30 minutes then towel dry.

Re: VIDALIA ONION ISSUE

WORKING GAL — Fri, 29 Apr 2022 23:42:52 GMT

@ECBG - The onions were flat and looked just like the Shuman Farms ones I saw on the TV show. They were on sale for 99 cents/lb. I'll try the vinegar trick but I'm going to try and call the grower next week to see what they say. Thanks.

Re: VIDALIA ONION ISSUE

WORKING GAL — Fri, 29 Apr 2022 23:50:51 GMT

@novamc1 - Yes they were flat on top and bottom. I refrigerated the one I sliced and will see if that made it milder. If this grower is putting a Vidalia Onion label on an onion that is not a Vidalia, that's fraud. I would think they would not want their name on the label.

I'll try contacting themnext week. Thanks.

Re: VIDALIA ONION ISSUE

ID2 — Wed, 04 May 2022 15:02:57 GMT

I got my Vidalia onions from Costco last year. HUGE bag that lasted me a nice long time. I looked again for them this year and looks like Costco isn't selling them. Boy they were good.

Re: VIDALIA ONION ISSUE

Knit-Chick — Wed, 04 May 2022 17:12:33 GMT

@ECBG wrote:
I don't pay much attention to the sticker, but I always pick the onions that are more flat which is an indication of sweetness.
I just bought quite a few yesterday, our grocery store has them for 68 cents a pound. I keep them in our cool basement.

If, however, you want to sweeten your onion, put slices on a blow of cool vinegar water for about 30 minutes then towel dry.

@ECBG I never knew that about the flat ones being sweeter. Thank you!!