APEX Legacy · a way of life

Onion

Every pot in Black American cooking starts with onion. It is the foundational flavor.

Compiled by APEX Legacy from published research and documented food history, under the editorial direction of Jonathan Jackson, Founder. How we write and review these pages →

Why it is ours

No Black American dish starts without onion. It is in the roux, under the smothered chicken, in every pot of beans, at the base of every stew.

What it does

Quercetin inhibits LDL oxidation and relaxes arterial walls — two key mechanisms in managing the cardiovascular disease burden that kills Black Americans at 30% higher rates than white Americans. Chromium improves insulin sensitivity.

How it is cooked

Let chopped onion sit 10 minutes before cooking to allow quercetin activation. Low and slow caramelization unlocks depth of flavor.

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