pearl onion

A pearl onion is a very small onion, typically pickled, and used in appetizers or as a garnish. Onions, in general, are herbaceous biennial plants in the amaryllis family, grown for their edible bulbs. While not highly nutritious, onions are valued for their flavor in cooking and are used in various dishes. The characteristic pungency of onions comes from a sulfur-rich volatile oil that can cause tears when released. Onions have a long history of cultivation, dating back to before recorded history in regions like southwestern Asia, India, China, and the Middle East. Pearl onions are not a distinct variety but are small, round onions harvested at 25 mm (1 inch) or less in diameter.12