The distinctly strong taste of onion is indispensable in the kitchen. It''s warm, sweet and salty flavor shines in most savory dishes. It comes in several convenient dried forms: flakes, granules, powder and slices.

Originally native to southwest Asia, Allium cepa is no longer found wild, but is grown throughout the world as a biennial vegetable. The top onion producers today are China, India, the former Soviet Union and the United States -- particularly California, Texas and Oregon.