Maui onions, botanical name are a short day yellow granex variety of sweet onions. There are several varieties of sweet onions, all of which were selected and cultivated beginning in the 20th Century. Other varieties, besides Maui onions include Vidalia, Carzilia, Sunbrero and Texas 1015 Super Sweet.

Three characteristics set the Maui onion apart from other yellow onions: They lack the sulfur that gives most other onions their sharp taste and tear-producing odor. Their flesh also has a high sugar and high moisture content. This combination makes Maui onions exceptionally sweet and succulent, crisp and mild when perfectly ripe.

Serving Ideas

Maui onions are ubiquitously known as a true raw-eating onion but they can also be cooked utilizing their sweetness in a variety of methods for soups, slow roasting stews, braising meats, grilling fish and simply sauteing. Eugenol is the dominant volatile compound in onions; its presence leads the way for a myriad of complementary ingredients. The penetrating aromatics of onions pair well with woody, warm and sugary foods such as barley, hazelnuts, coffee, grilled beef, cinnamon, cloves, rosemary, Thai basil, potatoes, ginger, vanilla, toasted coconut, maple syrup and pineapple. Maui onions will keep, cool and dry, for up to a month.

Geography/History

Maui onion's sweetness cannot be duplicated if not grown in the red volcanic earth of the upland slopes of Mt. Haleakala, where they were originally cultivated. They are sown on the late fall and harvested in early Spring. They need only about nine hours of sunlight which is best suited to warmer climates and mild winters. The mild winters of Maui make them one of the first Spring varieties to appear. Maui onions are hand harvested and field-cured. Although the Maui onion was first cultivated in Maui, it was selected from parent onions from the state of Texas.

Seasons/Availability

Maui onions have a peak season from early April through June but they are available year round.