General Description/History

• From the same family as onions, leeks and garlic
• Resemble trim tufts of grass
• Cylindrical leaves
• A mild onion flavour
• Grow to a length of 20 – 30cm
• Dark green.

Select fresh, dark green chives with undamaged tips. Avoid limp or wilting chives.

Chop finely and sprinkle over salads, sandwiches and soups. Use as a garnish on cream cheese or buttered potato.

Chives are a perennial plant which grow in a wide range of soils. Chives require extra irrigation, generous feeding and plenty of sun.

Chives were recorded 4000 years ago in China and brought to the West by Marco Polo.

Nutritional Value

A good source of vitamin C and A. Some niacin and dietary fibre. 110kJ/100g.

Storage/Handling

0°C and 90 -100% relative humidity. Keep covered and away from cooling fans.

Consumer Storage: Store in an airtight plastic bag in the refrigerator crisper.

Interesting Facts and Myths?

A colonist in America often hung bunches of chives throughout the house to drive away disease and evil influences. Luckily, dried chives made an attractive arrangement, so while they didn’t protect the home; they at least added a decorative touch!

Season: 

Botanical Name: Allium schoenoprasum (Liliaceae)

Alternative Names: Onion Chives

Availablity: 

Growing Areas: 

QLD – Atherton, Brisbane Outer Suburbs, Bundaberg 
NSW – North Coast 
VIC – Melbourne, Werribee 
SA – Adelaide Hills, Adelaide Plains 
WA – Perth Metropolitan Outer Areas 
NT – Katherine.