Cutting Onions Without Tears
As onions are sliced, cells are broken, allowing enzymes called alliinases to break down amino acid sulphoxides and generate sulphenic acids. Sulphenic acids are unstable and spontaneously rearrange into a volatile gas called syn-propanethial-S-oxide. The gas diffuses through the air and eventually reaches the eye, where it binds to sensory neurons, creating a stinging sensation. Tear glands produce tears to dilute and flush out the irritant.
Here are some solutions to avoid shedding tears when cutting onions:
- Use a small table fan nearby when you cut onions.
- Keep your onions in the refrigerator.
- Chop the root end first, since it contains the highest amount of irritants, then you can proceed with the rest.
- Wear goggles like the swimmers do.
- Light a couple of candles near the cutting board it will draw the chemicals away.
- Chop the onions near the cooking flames.
- Slice through the end and remove the root before you start cutting the onions.
- Stick a matchstick in the mouth before cutting suggested from southern oldwives methods.
- Keep the onions cut sides down before cutting, so the juices won’t harm your eyes.
- Some suggest use white onions only don’t use yellow onions, which is not a practical solution.
- Put onions in a bowl of water and cut onions there.
- Use a good knife and well sharpened. Some suggest Japanese cooking knives.
- Put a spoon in your mouth before cutting onions.
For more tips on cutting onions without crying, check out Yahoo! Answers.
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