An Economic Opportunity

With over a century of history, calçots have driven economic growth and progress in Catalonia. Their cultivation began when onion farmers needed to ensure winter food supplies. Unsold onion bulbs were replanted, producing calçots, long, sweet onions harvested during the winter months.

The fundamental economic shift came when Xat de Benages discovered that grilling these onions and dipping them in romesco sauce transformed a humble meal into a feast. This led to La Calçotada, a celebration that has become a significant culinary and social phenomenon.

Today, La Calçotada generates over €200 million annually in Catalonia, supporting farmers, restaurants, and the entire tourism and hospitality industry. Its success extends far beyond a local tradition. Reducing it to “We eat calçots because we are Catalan” is as limiting as saying only Italians enjoy pizza or only Japanese people appreciate sushi. La Calçotada thrives because it is an exceptional product that can captivate anyone, Catalan or not. Imagine scaling this vibrant €200 million industry to a global level.

Investing in The Onion Memorandum means participating in the global expansion of a successful and sustainable culinary concept.