What is the Difference Between Chives Green Onions and Scallions

May 2022 · 4 minute read

The main difference between chives green onions and scallions is that green onions and scallions are two terms referring to the same onion variety belonging to the allium plant species of tunicate bulb vegetables, while chives are a herb that belongs to the same species.

Furthermore, chives have a mild flavor compared to the bold flavor of green onions and scallions. Most often, we add chives as a topping for pleasant breakfasts such as ham and Swiss omelette, or we simply add it to appetizers like deviled eggs. On the other hand, scallions and green onions are often used interchangeably in many quick recipes, such as scallion rice or green onion pancake.

Key Areas Covered

1. What are Chives 
     – Definition, Features, Nutrients 
2. What are Green Onions 
     – Definition, Features, Nutrients 
3. What are Scallions
     – Definition, Features, Nutrients 
3. Similarities – Chives Green Onions and Scallions
     – Outline of Comparison 
4. Difference Between Chives Green Onions and Scallions
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Chives, Green Onions, Scallions

Difference Between Chives Green Onions and Scallions - Comparison Summary

What are Chives

Chives are an edible herb that shares a biological profile quite similar to garlic, scallions, and shallots. Basically, chives are often available in local markets and have a lot of culinary uses. For instance, we use fresh chives in seasoning potatoes, fish, and a variety of soups. Chives have long thin stems, and their pastel pink flowers are edible. Chive flowers are often used for garnishes. They also add beauty and color to many salads. Even chefs include these chive flowers mainly in salads and for garnishing purposes.

Compare Chives, Green Onions and Scallions

Regular chive intake benefits your health a lot. This is because chives are jam-packed with vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals, and they are low in calories. For instance, 3 grams of chives only contains 1 gram of fat and 1 gram of calories. In addition, chives are a source of food rich in potassium, phosphorus, folate, Vitamin K, magnesium, and calcium.

What are Green Onions

Green onions are a variety of onions that belong to the allium family of plants. Unlike regular bulb-forming ordinary onions,  farmers harvest green onions while they are still very young or sometimes even before they produce any bulbs.

Chives vs Green Onions vs Scallions

Green onions come with a long and white stem, which has an end that does not bulge out. They have a mild oniony flavor which is less strong compared to the flavor of the regular onions. Green onions can be consumed both raw or cooked, and they are frequently incorporated in Asian cuisine.

A cup of green onions usually fulfills 10% of your daily fiber need. Further, this fiber intake is quite essential in keeping your cholesterol levels down and lowering the chances of you having heart disease and diabetes. Further, just like any other allium vegetable, green onions also prevent the growth of stomach cancer.

What are Scallions

Scallion is another term used for green onions, which is a year-round available allium vegetable. This is an onion species that comes with a long stem, green leaves, and a white bulb.

Similarities Between Chives Green Onions and Scallions

Difference Between Chives Green Onions and Scallions

Definition

Green onions and scallions are two terms referring to the same onion variety that belongs to the allium species of plants, while chives are a herb that belongs to the same species.

Flavor

Although chives, green onions, and scallions all share  an oniony flavor, chives taste a bit milder than green onions and scallions

Nutrient Profile

One cup of scallions includes twice the daily required intake of vitamin K and 25% of your daily required vitamin C intake, whereas 3 grams of chives only contains 1 gram of fat and 1 gram of calories. In addition, chives are a source of food rich in potassium, phosphorus, folate, Vitamin K, magnesium, and calcium, while green onions are rich in vitamin c, antioxidants, vitamin K and fibers.

Conclusion

The main difference between chives green onions and scallions is that chives are an allium herb while green onions and scallions are a variety of allium vegetables. However, all three ingredients are rich in antioxidants, and their daily intake may boost your immunity against stomach cancer.

Reference:

1. “Chives: Nutrition, Benefits, and How to Use.” Medical News Today, MediLexicon International.
2. “Top 7 Scallions Nutrition Facts and Health Benefits.” Nutrition And You.com.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Chives-herbs-culinary-herbs-plant” (CC0) via Pixabay
2. “Vegetables-green-onions-food” (CC0) via Pixabay

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