Pearl onions are gaining momentum in the West, but pearl onions are also very popular in Europe and some parts of Asia. "Italy, Germany, The Netherlands and India are all places that love including pearl onions in their cuisine," says Andrea Dubak with Thomas Fresh. In India, you’ll see them in sweet relishes and in Germany many prefer to pickle them. Dubak says the current supply of pearl onions is “unlimited at this point. It’s also consistent and the quality is premium.” They’re available year-round; Thomas Fresh is currently sourcing them fresh from Canada. “Whenever you need them, we are happy to order them for you,” she said.
Unique flavor profile
"A cross-cultural favorite for dishes, especially at this time of year, these tiny sweet jewels have multiple applications," shared Dubak. “We’re exposed to so many recipes, and visuals in the media. It’s easier than ever to try something new in the kitchen and to buy high quality ingredients,” she added. “There’s also a larger focus on eating healthy in our society, which opens the doors to exploring new fruits and vegetables – like pearl onions. Pearl onions are interesting because they are so small compared to many other onion varieties and they pack a unique flavor profile.”
Currently bagged pearl onions are available in 10 oz. bags. “We wanted to give consumers a convenient pack size for the best amount of value for their dollar. For grocery stores and other buyers we sell to, one case consists of 12 10 oz. bags; we can do a split between white and red per case.”
New packaging
Thomas Fresh recently introduced new packaging for its premium white and red variety pearl onions. The packaging reflects the company’s goal to provide consumers with the best possible end product. “It has a breathable mesh to preserve freshness.” Bags are easily identifiable: the reds feature the exact color taken from the onion itself, as does the white onion packaging. “The red and white pearl onion design has our signature label on the top the bag. Our branded label is there to help consumers identify quality in the produce section. Our slogan is “Grown in Trust” and we take that very seriously,” Dubak said. “It’s important for consumers to trust where their food is coming from - whether that be sustainable farms or fair workplace practices. We have very tight-knit relationships with our farmers and partners.”
