Why would a vidalia onion be purple? It smelled felt and looked normal otherwise. 
Asked
Active
Viewed 1.2k times
2
-
1My understanding is that Vidalia isn't just a variety, its ones that are grown in a region with low sulphur content in the soil. So it might be possible to have a red vidalia (but I would think it'd be specially labeled). I guess it also could be a sign of abnormal pH (sometimes things turn blue if exposed to... bases, I think) – Joe Nov 13 '17 at 01:16
-
The skin on these onions looks darker than the skin on Vidalias. Also the shape doesn't look quite right. – Cindy Nov 13 '17 at 13:05
2 Answers
7
As Wikipedia states (with good sources):
A Vidalia onion (/vɪˈdeɪliə/ or /vaɪˈdeɪliə/) is a sweet onion of certain varieties, grown in a production area defined by law of the U.S. state of Georgia and by the United States Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).
The varieties include the hybrid yellow granex, varieties of granex parentage, and other similar varieties
As far as I understand, there are varieties with puprlish tint in the mix. The most defining thing about onion being accepted as Vidalia is taste, capability of growing well and not developing sharp taste when grown on low sulfur soil around Vidalia, Georgia. If taste is sweet and mellow as you would expect it to, then color is probably OK and onion is within what state of Georgia allows to call an vidalia onion.
It is also possible that what you got was unplanned crossbreed with red onions from near field. This can happen if onion is grown from seeds, especially seeds gathered by the farmer himself, as seed selling companies tend to be very careful about that. In that case, these onions should not be sold as Vidalia onion - but if they are half-Vidalia-accepted-variety and grown in proper soil, taste should be pretty close to what you paid for.
-1
I think it would indicate a genetic cross- breeding with a purple onion. Should not affect taste or edibility.
T Hayes
- 1