Why are the terms scallions, green onions, and spring onions often used interchangeably when describing the immature onion?

Answer

They are used interchangeably to describe the immature onion harvested before the bulb has fully developed.

The interchangeability of the names scallions, green onions, and spring onions stems from the fact that all these terms commonly refer to an onion harvested before it has matured to the point where a large, distinct bulb has formed. While there might be subtle botanical variations depending on the specific variety or the exact growth stage when harvested, in a general culinary or nutritional context, they are grouped together. This shared characteristic of being harvested early is the primary reason why, for broad discussions concerning nutritional profiles, these overlapping designations are used without requiring strict botanical differentiation.

Related Questions

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