At first, leeks and scallions may seem indistinguishable, but once you understand their physical differences, you’ll have no trouble telling the two allium species apart.
In this comparison guide, we discuss how to tell the difference between leeks and scallions, their relationship, their culinary and medicinal values, growing tips, and their history. After reading through this guide, you’ll be able to tell the difference between these two tasty plants and learn quite a bit about each of their unique characteristics.
So, without further ado, let’s get started!
Leeks vs. Green Onions: A Quick Look
| Leek | onion | |
|---|---|---|
| plant classification | garlic | green onions |
| physical description | White bulbs and stems 1-2 inches in diameter are attached to long, flat green leaves. The color gradient goes from light green at the bottom to dark green at the tip. The leaves are layered and divided. They fan out 12 inches from the bottom. Produces a cluster of small white, pink, or purple flowers. | These bunches of onions form small pale green and white shafts with small, slender bulbs. The leaves are hollow tubes and will not unravel. Forms a cluster of small white flowers. |
| culinary use | Great for soups, salads, stir-frying and grilling. Crisp, slightly sweet and earthy. Typically, only the bulb and shaft are used, while the leaves are used for stock or compost. | Great as a topping for raw soups, salads, and stir-fries. Often used in Asian dishes. The taste is crisp and slightly sweet. All parts of the plant are edible and are often used in dishes. |
| Nutrition Facts and Health Benefits | Excellent source of vitamins K, B9 and B6. Research has shown that bioactive chemicals can be used to prevent certain diseases and infections. | Excellent source of vitamins K, C and B9. Studies have shown that it has powerful antimicrobial properties, among other health benefits. |
| Growing Zones and Ideal Growing Conditions | Growing Zones 3-9. Prefers to grow in well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral soil rich in organic matter. | Growing Zones 5-9. Prefers to grow in well-drained, nutrient-rich soil in full sun to part shade. Drought tolerant, but produces best with consistent moisture. |
| Native place and history | Wild leeks are native to West Asia and the Mediterranean. Possibly domesticated around 2000 BC. Cultivated varieties have appeared in Western Europe since AD 640. | Originated in China, it was introduced to Europe in the 17th century AD. Domesticated varieties may have been grown in China for more than 2,000 years. The original wild scallions may now be extinct. |
plant classification
Chinese chives, scallions, and green onions, scallions, belong to onion Genus, a group of bulbous plants belonging to the Allium family. Additionally, common bulb onions and garlic are included in the Allium family, along with leeks and scallions.
Although these plants belong to the same genus, they are different species.leeks belong to honeysuckle species and scallions belong to fistula species.
garlic Often there is only one common name, leek. However, scallions, this Green onions have several common names. For example, some other common names for scallions include onions, shallots, shallots, and shallots.
©Stephan Schlachter/Shutterstock.com
Leeks and Green Onions: Physical Description
Importantly, leeks and scallions have some notable differences that make it fairly easy to tell them apart. The biggest physical difference between the two is in the leaves. Chives have broad, flat leaves that fan out from the top of the white stalk. In contrast, scallions have thin, narrow, hollow leaves. Leek stems and bulbs are also larger in diameter than scallions.
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culinary use
Both leeks and scallions are favored for their use in a variety of dishes. While leeks are delicious both raw and cooked, people tend to only eat the delicate scallions raw.
Leeks, including their tougher leaves, make an excellent soup stock. In cooking, you can use the stalks in salads and as an ingredient in soups and stir-fries. When cooked, it’s perfect for grilling, stir-frying, baked goods, pasta, and soups.
Scallions are popular in Asian cuisine as a raw ingredient in soups, stir-fries and rice dishes. The delicately sweet, crisp flavor adds texture and balance to many dishes. In fact, you can use the whole plant from bulb to leaf tip.
Nutrition Facts and Health Benefits
plants belong to Allium The genus contains several bioactive chemicals that researchers have studied for various health benefits, such as antimicrobial, antidiabetic, antihypertensive, and anticancer effects.
Researchers have found that both the stems and leaves of leeks contain many potent antioxidants. It also has antimicrobial properties that can be used against several common strains of harmful bacteria. These antioxidants prevent harmful oxidative processes that can lead to long-term disease.
Like its leek relative, scallions contain many beneficial bioactive chemicals commonly found in Allium belongs to. Researchers studied its anticancer effects on cancer cells. In one study, researchers found that applying higher concentrations of nitrogen to leek plants resulted in more potent anticancer properties.
Nutritionally, leeks and scallions are great sources of many daily recommended nutrients.
Leeks are a great source of vitamins K, B9 and B6. A 90-gram serving of leeks provides around 35 percent of the recommended daily intake for vitamin K, 14 percent for vitamin B9 and 12 percent for vitamin B6.
Green onions are an excellent source of vitamins K, C and B9. In particular, scallions are rich in vitamin K, providing 172% of the recommended daily intake of vitamin K per 100 grams. 21% Vitamin C and 16% Vitamin B9.
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Leeks vs. Green Onions: Growing Zones and Ideal Growing Conditions
While both leeks and scallions are hardy like many common edible plants around the world Allium genus, leeks are especially well suited to growing in cooler temperatures.
Leeks can grow in USDA zones 5-9 and scallions can grow in USDA zones 6-9.
Leeks grow best in well-drained soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH of 6.0-7.0. With their shallow root system, chives benefit from consistent watering. However, they do not tolerate wet roots well and are prone to root rot if left in standing water. So make sure your soil has adequate drainage or grow in pots or raised beds with improved soil. Most varieties take about 120 days to harvest from seed.
Green onions thrive in well-drained sandy or loamy soils with a pH range of 6.0-7.0. They produce best in full sun with at least 6 hours per day. Importantly, scallions love constant watering but cannot tolerate standing water. The slender scallions mature much faster than leeks and are usually ready for harvest 60-80 days after planting.
An interesting note: Green onions are also especially easy to grow from scraps. When you’re done using the green leaves, you can save the small white bulbs in a container with enough water to cover the shallow roots. Then, place the jars in a sunny location and clip off the green leaves as they emerge for cooking.Just make sure to keep them out of reach of pets as there are a lot of plants in there Allium Genus can be toxic to your furry relatives. You should get a few weeks of use from scallions. Also, you can transplant them into your garden once the leaves are at least 4-5 inches long.
Leeks vs. Green Onions: Origin and History
Both leeks and scallions are native to the Asian continent, with leeks native to West Asia and the Mediterranean, and scallions native to China.
People have probably grown leeks as a domestic crop in Asia since around 2000 BC. Thereafter, from AD 640, cultivars began to appear in Western Europe via trade and exploration routes. Later, leek cultivation in the United States spread from Europe with the arrival of European settlers in the 16th and 17th centuries.
Interestingly, scallions have been widely used in Chinese cuisine and medicine for at least 2,000 years.It is worth noting that it is in Shennong’s Herbal Classic, The oldest surviving Chinese medicine dates back to about 2,000 years ago.
Next:
- Shallots vs. Leeks: Know the Difference
- Chives vs. Green Onions: Is there a Difference?
- Wild Onion vs. Wild Garlic: What’s the Difference?
- Chives vs Green Onions: What’s the Difference?
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