onions

hi, It is quite common to shed tears while chopping onions. All the dust remained in your eyes gets removed. If you feel you do not want to shed tears while cutting onions, wear glasses or spectacles that will not allow the vapor to enter your eyes. 'I' between 2 ONs = tears(on'i'on) Have fun slicing Onions, Calpro

Hi acey! I hate crying over onions as well. I've actually tried checking online for what tips are out there to help prevent tears flowing down one's cheeks when cutting/chopping onions. First is by freezing the onion before slicing. You peel them first then put it inside the freezer for 5-10 minutes. Second is try peeling and cutting your onions under running water. This I haven't tried yet but what I do is I peel the onion and put it under running water then I'll cut it. It does work and doesn't make me cry. Another odd tip was boiling the onion (probably whole) so as to break down those enzymes that interacts with our eyes that makes it stingy and makes us cry. Although it was suggested that it might be a bit difficult to slice the onion in smaller pieces if it's already cooked or boiled. Another odd suggestion was to wear swimming goggles which although will make you look silly, but will certainly not make you cry when chopping onions. Why do onions make us cry? It is because when we slice an onion we are breaking a so-called onion cell. And when these slices break open they release a certain chemicals in the air and when these two enzymes combine together, they release a type of gas. This gas that evaporates in the air interacts with the fluid in our eyes that keeps our eyes moist. When all the elements combine, a chemical reaction occurs and sulfuric acid is produced. Sulfuric acid hurts our eyes that's why our eyes produce tears to flush away this irritating substance. Well I hope I do help in a way. Good luck and happy cooking :)

One trick I know and I apply whenever I chop onions is a nearby liquid is around especially flowing water or plain water. Another one is to wash the onions first before chopping. The reason why onions makes us cry is because of its substance that irritates the eyes. These chemicals also protects the onions from insects and other parasites. Hope this helps.

A simple way to prevent crying while cutting onions--keep your mouth closed. Do not speak at all. It works for me.

I think if you chop them under water you won't cry . At least that's what I have heard , but it's worth the try.