Onions have a history as rich and varied as their culinary applications. Loved by many for their taste and versatility, onions have been a staple in culinary for thousands of years. But beyond their common presence in everyday meals, onions have a long past that stretches across civilizations and cultures.

The onion is one of the oldest cultivated plants. While the exact origin is uncertain, historians generally agree that onions likely originated in central Asia. Onions were ideal for early agricultural processes, as they were easy to grow, adaptable to different climates, and could be stored for long periods of time.

Perhaps one of the most significant historical associations with onions comes from ancient Egypt. Onions were highly respected by the Egyptians, not only for their nutritional value but also for their symbolic importance. The concentric layers of the onion, which seem to go on infinitely, were thought to represent eternal life.

Onions were just as important to the ancient Greeks and Romans. The Greeks prized onions for their medicinal properties, believing they could help fortify the body. In ancient Rome, onions were a staple food and medicine. As the Roman Empire spread across Europe, so did onions. Onions became a staple crop in Europe, often used in stews, porridges, and soups.

Today, onions are the foundation of global culinary, grown in nearly every part of the world and featured in countless recipes across different cultures. Whether sautéed, grilled, caramelized, or eaten raw, onions continue to add flavour and depth to dishes from every continent.

M&P Engineering is a leading manufacturer and supplier of food processing equipment, and our most popular machine is the Large Onion Peeling machine.

M&P’s Large Onion Peeling machine uses self-adjusting floating knives to top, tail, and peel onions of 45mm to 115mm diameter. The machine is easy to operate due to its simplistic mechanism and design and, thanks to the dry peeling process the product remains in pristine condition once it has been peeled.

Onions come in a wide range of shapes and colours, and common onions grow in 3 different colours: red, white, and yellow, each having their own characteristics. Different onions can come in different sizes too, but for M&P’s Onion Peeling Machine that isn’t a problem. Red onions and shallots are particularly hard to handle, due to their irregular shape and size, but with our equipment, the process couldn’t be easier.

M&P Engineering also offers a wide range of food processing machinery in addition to onion peeling machines, including our freshcut machinery: the Carousel Grid Cutting machine and the Radish Top & Tailer.

To learn more about us and our machines, please don’t hesitate to contact a member of our team today. Call us on +44 (0)161 872 8378 or contact us here.

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