27 October 2025
Leek
The vegetable variety leek is related to the onion. In addition to leeks, garlic and chives are also part of that onion family. Leeks are native to Eurasia and North Africa. There are 2 types of leeks: winter leeks and summer leeks. Winter leeks are thicker and firmer than summer leeks. The white part of the leek grows under the ground and is thus not exposed to sunlight. The green part is somewhat tougher and has a less strong onion or garlic flavor than the white part. More than 2,000 years B.C. leeks were already being grown and were well known to the ancient Egyptians and Greeks. The Romans spread it further across Europe, as far away as the British Isles, where it became an important food. Did you know that leeks are even one of the national symbols of Wales?
