Chives

These delicate, grass-like greens give you a fresh, mild onion flavor without the sharp bite of a standard onion. Since they’re so tender, just sprinkle them raw over soups, potatoes, or eggs right before serving. They’re an easy way to boost your immunity and help regulate blood sugar while adding great flavor to your meals.

What Are Chives?

Chives are a perennial herb in the allium family, alongside onions, garlic, and leeks. This family is known for its bold, aromatic compounds that give us some of the most foundational flavors in cooking.

But unlike their relatives that form bulbs underground, chives grow in soft, upright clusters of slender, hollow green leaves that look more like grass than anything else in the group. It’s why they are the most delicate members of the family.

As they mature, chives send up small purple flowers that bring in pollinators and add color to the garden. Those flowers are fully edible, with a subtle onion flavor that’s slightly sweeter than the leaves.

In the kitchen, it’s the chive leaves you’ll reach for most. They have a fresh onion flavor that is clean, slightly sweet, and far more mild than raw onion.

Wash & Store

• It’s better to not wash chives until you’re ready to use them.

• You can store them in the refrigerator in a bag or container, or wrapped in a slightly damp paper towel.

• For the best flavor, use chives within a few days.

How to Use Chives

Chives are best used fresh, or added at the very end of cooking. Heat softens their flavor, so think of them as a finishing touch rather than something to cook down. You can chop them up and:

• Add them to marinades, dressings, or even folded into meatballs.

• Toss them onto roasted vegetables or meat after cooking.

• Mix them into salads or sprinkle over soups for a mild onion flavor.

• Stir them into butter or cream cheese for a flavored spread.

Chive Recipes

• Creamy Chive Dip

• Chive Herb Butter

• Chive Marinade

• Italian Penicilian Soup

• Smashed Marinated Radishes

• Supergreen Pasta

• Carrot Dip

Chive Health Benefits

• Boost immunity: Chives contain compounds like allicin and quercetin, which have been shown to have immune-boosting properties.

• Regulate blood sugar: Chives contain compounds that may help regulate blood sugar levels, making them a good choice for people with diabetes.

• Aid digestion: Chives contain compounds that may help improve digestion and reduce the risk of digestive issues like bloating and constipation.

Area 2 Farms for Locals

Your food should be equally accessible and nutritious. Which is where we come in. At Area 2 Farms, we grow fresh organic produce within 10 miles of you.