Asda has begun selling a new red onion variety which, according to Alastair Findlay of Bedfordshire Growers, is “milder, juicier and crunchier” than other varieties.
Named Sweet Red, 400 tonnes of the crop have been grown, attracting media interest around the world, including primetime television in the United States as well as ITV and the BBC in this country. Bedfordshire Growers’ MD, Stephen Hedderly commented, “Publicity around the world has been incredible this week.”
Andy Wareham, Asda vegetable buyer added, “Introducing the UK’s very first sweet red onion is a fantastic achievement and like the USA, the UK has a sweeter palate than most so will appreciate the same tangy flavour, without the strong acidity of some onions. It’s funny to think that prior to the 1990s, there were no red onions grown within the UK; however, due to the popularity and versatility of the variety, they now account for 20% of the total onions sold within the UK.”