White onion is a variety of onion (Allium cepa) with thin, papery white skin and crisp white flesh. Raw, it is sharper and more pungent than red onion but milder than raw yellow onion; cooked, it is less sweet than yellow onion, which is why yellow onion is preferred for slow caramelizing and French onion soup while white onion is the default in Mexican salsas and much South Asian and Middle Eastern cooking. It holds its crunch well in salsas, pico de gallo, and sandwiches, and softens quickly when sautéed. It pairs well with cilantro, lime, cumin, and chili, and with grilled meats and seafood.