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Chives

Chives make a tasty addition to omelettes, salads, and many other dishes.

Chives, a member of the onion and leek family, are a fragrant herb with a mild onion flavor. Both the slender, vivid-green stalks and the lavender flowers are edible.

Varieties

Chives are a type of onion.

Buying and storing tips

Chives can be found in the produce section of most health food stores, specialty markets, and supermarkets. They’re also available dried, but the fresh variety is far preferable. Look for those with a uniform, glossy appearance and bright green color, with no signs of browning. Use chives as soon as possible, or store them in a plastic bag in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Availability

Chives are available all year long.

Preparation, uses, and tips

Rinse fresh chives in cold water just before using. Snip fresh chives into omelettes or soups, add them to cheese or tofu spreads, or toss the flowers into salads. Add fresh chives toward the end of cooking time to retain their flavor and keep them from turning bitter.

Nutritional Highlights

Chives (raw), 1 Tbsp (3g)
Calories: 0.9
Protein: 0.09g
Carbohydrate: 0.13g
Total Fat: 0.02g
Fiber: 0.075g

Health benefits and concerns

Cancer

Foods high in vitamin K such as vegetables typically are associated with low cancer risk. Despite the fact that the anti-vitamin K drug warfarin might reduce the risk of cancer under certain circumstances, no evidence suggests that avoidance of vitamin K (from food or from supplements) would in any way help protect against cancer.

Health benefits and concerns for vegetables
Many health benefits and concerns associated with this food are applicable to other vegetables. Read about health benefits and concerns for vegetables for a full description.