Towns all across the country have specialties unique to their community. Local artisans might have a recipe for the perfect cheese, a special blend of tea, or offer other handcrafted items available no where else. People with a taste for quality and unique flavor often travel to specific destinations to test out this item for themselves, and bring home a one-of-a-kind souvenir!
You might say Walla Walla is no different. We’re proud of our local flavor, including the popular and prized Walla Walla sweet onion! Large, round, and free from the normal pungent order and taste associated with onions, it’s a staple for visitors and locals who love food and great cooking. Entire cookbooks have been created around the sweet onion, and crates are shipped out so others can enjoy the sweet taste of the valley’s local onion. There’s even a yearly festival dedicated to Walla Walla’s staple food.
According to town records, the onion got its start when a French solider, Peter Pieri, planted a seed he’d purchased in Corsica, a French island. He then cultivated his plant and used it to grow future onions in the area. Now well over 100 years later, it’s not only a staple crop but one of Walla Walla’s main attractions. Some even pair it with the area’s world famous wines.
Onion lover or not, the Walla Walla sweet onion is worth a try. Plan your trip today to sink your teeth into this foodie-favorite!