| about wildeklawer onions |
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clever onion
The onion has a two-year life cycle. In the first year, it germinates and grows from a seedling through to bulb formation; at the bulb formation stage, a critical quality factor is the creation of what Louis calls "the onion's natural packaging" – the layers of outer skin that protect the onion from its time in the ground all the way to the consumer. In the second year – provided it is left in the ground, of course – the bulb generates more foliage, then flowers and seeds, and the cycle starts again.
Sourcing quality onion seed cultivars, in fact, is a very serious part of the business. Louis and Cora travel the world on an annual basis to find the very best seed cultivars. The United States, the Netherlands, Japan and Australia are prominent suppliers but Louis conducts considerable research and development on his own here at home to determine which seed cultivars are best suited to Wildeklawer's growing conditions.
For commercial growers like Louis and Cora, flawless bulb formation is very important. The perfect onion should consist of one bulb only; it should be firm; and there should be several layers of tight, protective outer skin, free of cracks or splits.
An important determinant is daylight. The clever onion plant monitors the lengthening hours of daylight in summer and then, when the time is right, sends a message to its roots to start making the bulb. Other key factors are water and warm sunshine.
All in all, then, Wildeklawer is ideally placed to grow South Africa's best onions. In the Northern Cape, the hours of daylight in summer are just right, as is the sunshine, and the neighbouring Vaal River is an ample feed source for the farm's sophisticated irrigation system.
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the wildeklawer onion family
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the brown onion
In the orange pack
An old favourite, available all year round, its strong flavour makes it ideal for soups, stews and curries. |
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the peeled onion
In the blue pack
Brown onions with the outer, brown skin hygienically removed for convenience. Available throughout the year, they are as versatile as brown onions. |
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the pickled onion
In the green pack
Little onions, bursting with flavour, ideal for traditional South African ‘potjies‘ and for bottling. Available throughout the year. |
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the red onion
In the red pack
Distinctive in appearance and, while milder in taste than the brown onion, it should not be confused with the sweet onion, it is not as mild. Excellent for salads and garnishing, it is available all year round. |
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the sweet onion
In the yellow pack
No tears, even when grated. Sweeter, milder, ‘the taste of summer‘ – but with all the flavour of the brown onion. Great eaten raw in salads, sandwiches and burgers. Now available from November to June. |
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Originating in Italy during the 19th century, the sweet onion has taken the culinary world by storm in recent years. In the United States, in season, the sweet onion accounts for more than 70% of all retail onion sales.
Now, for the first time, they have been grown in South Africa – exclusively by Wildeklawer, in the distinctive Wildeklawer Way – for South African consumers.
In fact, the Wildeklawer sweet onion – due to its versatility – is poised to take over from the brown onion as the onion 'stalwart'. Because it retains all the distinctive onion flavour, it can be used in all of the dishes that call for other onions.
The Wildeklawer Sweet Onion has a number of distinguishing characteristics:
- No tears, even if you grate it. So easy and convenient to use.
- A sweeter, milder taste. In fact, the bigger the Wildeklawer Sweet Onion, the sweeter the taste. Particularly appealing to those who normally can't 'take' onions, it's delicious served raw in salads, on sandwiches and on burgers. Kids will love them.
- It's healthy. One Wildeklawer Sweet Onion has all of the goodness of a portion of vegetables.
- It's fat free, high in fibre, natural sugar, calcium, potassium, phosphorus and Vitamin C.
- It contains 25 compounds that fight the growth of cancerous cells; helps to combat heart disease; inhibits strokes; lowers blood pressure and cholesterol; and stimulates the immune system.
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2009-12-22 15:19:16
Wildeklawer launches the new sweet surprise watermelon!
Wildeklawer, one of South Africa’s leading fresh produce producers welcomes you to the world of freshness, quality, care and goodness.
Read more >>
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