Eight onion varieties, eight stories rooted in the land, and one shared goal: enhancing Italy’s horticultural heritage through the recovery of traditional varieties, genetic improvement, and seed quality.
Every onion tells a story
Behind an onion, there is more than just a color, a shape, or a flavor. There are landscapes, agricultural traditions, knowledge passed down over time, and the work of generations of growers who have selected and preserved varieties distinguished by their unique characteristics.
Italy’s agricultural biodiversity is rich in these examples: local varieties that originated and developed in specific environments, often recognized for their organoleptic qualities, bulb characteristics, and connection to regional cuisine.
It is this awareness that inspires Smarties.bio to focus on recovering and promoting selected traditional Italian varieties, with the aim of preserving their identity and improving their characteristics to obtain high-quality seed.
Recovering local varieties with an eye to the future
For Smarties.bio, safeguarding traditional varieties is not simply a way to keep the agricultural heritage of our country alive. It is also an investment in the future of horticulture.
In this context, uniformity does not mean making all onions the same. It means working to ensure that each variety expresses its distinctive traits more consistently, while preserving the characteristics that make it recognizable: bulb shape, color, agronomic characteristics, and the qualities that connect it to its own tradition.
The eight varieties at the heart of the safeguarding traditional onions
The project focuses on eight onion varieties that represent a heritage worth discovering and celebrating. Each has its own identity, shaped by its region, bulb characteristics, and cultivation history.
1. Cipolla Tonda Musona Bianca – CLODIA (White Rounded Onion Musona)
Originating in the horticultural tradition of Chioggia, the Cipolla Tonda Musona Bianca is valued for its white bulb and sweet, delicate flavor.
Its early growing cycle, with spring harvests, and its versatility in the kitchen make it an interesting choice both for fresh consumption and for traditional local recipes.
At Smarties.bio, this variety is offered under the name Clodia.
Discover Clodia, the Cipolla Tonda Musona Bianca.
2. Cipolla Ramata di Montoro – EUSTACHIA (Montoro Copper Colored Onion)
From Campania comes the Cipolla Ramata di Montoro, recognizable by its copper-colored outer skins, slightly flattened shape, and distinctive aromatic profile.
Its sweet, delicate flavor, together with its good storage potential and ability to retain its qualities during cooking, makes it suitable for a wide range of traditional dishes.
At Smarties.bio, it is identified by the name Eustachia.
Discover Eustachia, the Cipolla Ramata di Montoro.
3. Cipolla Rosa di Bassano (Bassano Pink Colored Onion)
The Cipolla Rosa di Bassano belongs to Veneto’s horticultural tradition and is particularly valued for its sweet, delicate flavor. Its name refers to the pinkish hues of the bulb, a characteristic that may have faded over time.
Recovering this variety means keeping an important part of the horticultural identity of the Bassano area alive and enhancing its distinctive characteristics.
4. Cipolla Bianca Piatta di Bassano (Bassano Flat White Colored Onion)
Alongside the Cipolla Rosa di Bassano, the Cipolla Bianca Piatta di Bassano is another of the varieties we have chosen to promote and preserve.
5. Cipolla Rossa di Breme (Breme Red Colored Onion)
Also known as the “dolcissima,” the Cipolla Rossa di Breme is one of the most distinctive horticultural specialties of Lomellina, in the province of Pavia.
Its flattened bulb, deep red color, and sweet taste are among the features that make it recognizable. Its history is closely linked to the area of Breme and to the dedication of the growers who have helped preserve and promote it.
6. Cipolla Ramata di Milano (Milan Copper Colored Onion)
The Cipolla Ramata di Milano is a traditional Lombard cultivar, recognizable by its copper-colored outer skins and pale flesh. It is valued for its sweet, aromatic flavor and storage qualities, which also make it an interesting option for consumption during the winter months.
7. Cipolla Dorata di Castelnuovo Scrivia (Castelnuovo Golden Colored Onion)
The Cipolla Dorata di Castelnuovo Scrivia is a native variety linked to the agricultural traditions of the Piedmont region. It stands out for its regular ovoid shape, firm outer skins in golden and copper tones, and white inner flesh.
The bulb’s distinctive outer covering provides good resistance to handling and excellent storage potential. Cultivated and selected over time by local growers, it represents an important testament to the region’s agricultural history and heritage.
8. Cipolla Rossa di Castelnuovo Scrivia (Castelnuovo Red Colored Onion)
The Cipolla Rossa di Castelnuovo Scrivia is a native variety resulting from selection practices passed down by local growers. It is characterized by its regular ovoid shape, bright red outer skins, and white flesh with violet and reddish hues.
The bulbs’ good outer covering ensures resistance to handling, while the variety’s hardiness enhances its distinctive qualities. Cultivated in Castelnuovo Scrivia and the surrounding areas, it is a significant expression of local horticultural tradition.
From biodiversity to seed quality
Variety recovery is only the starting point. To ensure that a variety can also be successfully grown for commercial production, it is important to focus on the quality and reliability of the seed.
For this reason, varietal improvement should not be seen as an alternative to tradition, but as a tool for supporting it. Local genetic resources can be studied and enhanced while preserving the characteristics that make each onion different from the others.
This is the direction we want to pursue in line with our values: ensuring the continuity of valuable varieties through an approach that brings together agricultural knowledge, attention to genetics, and a commitment to seed quality.
For us, improving seed quality also means protecting what makes it unique. Because the future of agriculture needs innovation, but it cannot do without the biodiversity and traditions that have enriched Italy’s horticultural heritage.