|
Onion Production
Under
the terms of Federal Marketing Order No. 955, as well as a state
law, Vidalia Onions are defined to include only those produced in 13
counties and portions of seven others, all in Georgia. Although the
yellow granex hybrid is grown in many other parts of the country, it
is only in the defined production area that the soil and climate
combine to produce the special characteristics of the sweet Vidalia
Onion that has attracted the attention of gourmet tastebuds
everywhere.
Farmers
plant Vidalia Onions from September through February. About 70,000
plants are produced on each acre. Approximately 225 growers
cultivate Vidalias on over 10,000 acres.
Vidalia
Onions flourish in the sandy loam soil and mild conditions -
temperatures average in the mid-50s in the winter and mid-70s in the
spring, with an average rainfall of 3-1/2 inches during the growing
season.
Vidalias
mature and are harvested from late April through mid-June. The
delicate nature of Vidalia Onions requires that they be harvested by
hand, thoroughly dried and treated gently during grading and
packaging.
Recent technology has extended the marketing season of Vidalia
Onions past the summer months by use of a process called Controlled
Atmosphere (CA) storage. The principal characteristic of CA storage
is a modification of the atmosphere in the storage facility. Normal
atmosphere, or the air we breathe, contains about 79% nitrogen, 21%
oxygen and .03% carbon dioxide. However, Vidalia onions can be
stored for several months in an atmosphere of 92% nitrogen, 5%
carbon dioxide and 3% oxygen, with the air temperature in the
storage room being maintained at around 34 degree Fahrenheit.
No
chemicals are utilized in the CA process, only the natural elements
found in pure air. While in CA storage, the Vidalias remain dormant
(virtually asleep) until they are removed and returned to normal
atmospheric conditions.
Extensive
testing has shown there is no change in the taste or texture of
Vidalias that have been stored successfully for up to 6 months. This
capability extends the marketing season into November and December
which is ideal as Vidalias are have become a special part of many
year-end Holiday meals!
The
current CA storage capacity for Vidalia Onions is approximately 35
million pounds.
The Vidalia
Onion Growing Region Map shows those counties that are licensed
to produce Vidalia Onions.
|
