Features Interview with Jonathan Tole, Chairman, British Onion Producers' Association and Site Director of Rustler Produce. How did you get involved in Sweet Onions? I've worked in the onion industry for 10 years and first got involved in Sweet Onions when I joined an industry research project which developed the UK Supasweet onion and a reliable test in the UK for measuring onion strength. My work also involves a lot of overseas travel and this has included travelling to the Vidalia (Georgia) and Walla Walla (Washington) regions of America, the first areas where Sweet Onions were grown. Having tasted many different varieties of onions I was surprised at the different taste and texture of Sweet Onions. What makes you so enthusiastic about Sweet Onions? All onions are very versatile and should not just be seen as an ingredient in a meal. With Sweet Onions, you can eat them raw in salads or sandwiches, or cooked - either as an ingredient or roasted as a side dish. As they are so mild they don't overpower the dish and they also have such a different taste and texture. What are the challenges in growing Sweet Onions? As a fresher, softer onion, they need to be handled much more carefully than regular onions and are often harvested by hand or by very specialised machinery. As we move round the world sourcing the best possible Sweet Onions, we are therefore involved in up to 6 or more harvests a year, unlike regular onions which are harvested once a year in the UK. I suppose the other challenge currently for Sweet Onions is the testing methods. The pyruvate levels are currently tested in laboratories which takes several hours. Working closely with a number of industry partners, we are currently working on developing a much quicker testing method. This will ultimately help to improve the consistency of the Sweet Onions and help with future breeding selection of the right bulbs. Q: When can I buy UK Sweet Onions? UK Sweet Onions are only available between July and September. Can people grow Sweet Onions in their gardens in the UK? Yes you could grow them in gardens in the UK as long as the soils are low in sulphur. The best place to obtain seed would be from the Walla Walla region in the US. At present we have no local Sweet Onion seed in the UK. On the website - it says "Ideal for kids" - why? I have a young daughter and we often add them to the meals we cook her. Sweet Onions tend to go softer than regular onions when they are cooked and produce a much smoother texture. As they are milder, they don't leave such a strong aftertaste either - something that often puts children off eating onions. For a healthier alternative to fried onions in burgers - Sweet Onions can just be chopped into rings and eaten raw in a burger. Q: What's your favourite dish using Sweet Onions? Layered sliced Sweet Onions and sliced beef tomatoes, with fresh basil and a drizzle of balsamic oil. It's also delicious with feta cheese sprinkled on the top.