Buan Haepung OnionsThis photo shows Buan Haepung Onions, Buan’s special product.
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LocationBuan-gun, Jeollabuk-do
- CategoryFolk Food ∙ Local Specialties
- Korean부안 해풍 양파
- Chinese扶安海風-
- FieldPolitics, Economy and Society / Economy & Industry
- Contents TypeSpecialty
- Production siteByeonsan-myeon, Jinseo-myeon, Boan-myeon, Sangseo-myeon, Haseo-myeon, Julpo-myeon, Buan-gun, Jeollabuk-do
- Definition
- Onions produced in Buan region, Jeollabuk-do
- Summary
- “Buan Haepung Onion” is a brand of onions cultivated in the Buan region. Soothed by the sea breeze, the onion is minimally damaged from blight and insects. The small but hard onion makes it ideal for long-term storage, and its extra-fresh taste makes for good eating. The newly established zone specializing in onion farming is known to be rich in minerals, and as a result, the produced onions are high in pungency and quality.
- Origins and Development
- Located downstream of the Dongjin River and its tributary Gobucheon Stream, Buan-gun, North Jeolla province has long been valued for its rich soil and ideal climate for agriculture. Along the coast of Byeonsan-bando protruding to the sea, small-scale land reclamation projects have taken place, and the interior land had always yielded a bounty of diverse agricultural produce. Areas specializing in growing Buan onions include the hilly areas in Julpo-myeon and the mountainous areas in the west covering Byeonsam-myeon, Jinseo-myeon, Boan-myeon, Sangseo-meyon, and Haseo-myeon.
- Production Method and Characteristics
- Buan onions harvested in April are a quickly ripening variety with an oval shape. Its water content is very high with a short storage time. The medium-maturing variety harvested in June is round in shape, very pungent, and most popular. “Buan See Breeze Onion” harvested during the same month of June is also round in shape but tastes sweet and pungent at once. As a late-maturing variety, these onions have a long storage time. High in water content at 90%, “Buan Haepung Onion” contains various nutrients, protein, carbohydrate, vitamin C, calcium, phosphorus and iron. Quercetin found in onions can reduce fat and built-up cholesterol in the blood stream and lower high blood pressure. In addition to quercetin, allicin in onions is shown to promote cardiovascular health and deter cancer.Isothiocyanates found in onions help to suppress the onset of cancerous cells in the digestive tract and organ. The onions are also rich in inulin, which can help boost the immune system, provide fuel for gut bacteria, and improve digestion while controlling blood sugar levels in diabetics.
- Current Status including Relevant Industry
- “Buan Haepung Onion” grown in the field measuring 337 ha in total area is hard in texture and excellent for storage. The onion’s sweet taste makes it a preferred variety in Korea and abroad, especially in Taiwan and Vietnam where it is exported to. To nurture the onion variety as a new popular product to boost revenues for onion farms, the Buan-gun Office started a project to support the “Buan Haepung Onion” variety by developing and supplying high-quality seeds to farms. By releasing a systematic procedure manual on sowing seeds, procuring them, and distributing onions for sale, the County Office continues to promote and enhance the “Buan Haepung Onion” brand.
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