Chives are a well-known member of the onion family.
Chives are the meekest of the all the onions.
This herb has a hollow, thin, grass-like stems that grow in clumps.
Leaves of chives are used in human diet. They have mild, sweet to savory, slightly pungent flavor. Chives are rich source of vitamin K, C and folic acid and minerals such as manganese, magnesium and iron.
Fresh chives are rich sources of folates. 100 g leaves provide 105 µg or 26% of DRI of folates.
Chives are mostly consumed fresh.
Chives are very low in calories; 100 g of fresh leaves provide just 30 calories.
The allyl sulfides and other unique organic compounds found in chives deliver similar benefits to the body as garlic, and as such, can effectively ease digestive discomfort.
The carotenes found in chives, namely lutein and zeaxanthin, are directly responsible for reducing oxidative stress in the ocular system and delaying the appearance of cataracts in the eye.
Chives have mild diuretic properties, and combined with the other free-radical scavenging and antibacterial qualities, chives are a wonderful way to detoxify the body.