According to Saed News, chopping onions and shedding tears is not a pleasant experience. However, some researchers believe that onion-induced tears are not entirely bad since they help cleanse the eyes of impurities. Nevertheless, if you want to avoid tearing up while cutting onions, here are some useful tricks to try.
The science behind onion-induced tears is a bit complex. In simple terms, onions contain amino acids called sulfoxides, which get released when you cut into them. This process breaks down the onion’s cell walls, releasing enzymes and sulfur compounds into the air. When these sulfuric compounds come into contact with your eyes, they react with your tear fluid to form sulfuric acid, triggering tear production as a defense mechanism.
Experts at the University of Bristol suggest that the best way to prevent onion-related tears is to keep the onion gases away from your eyes. Below are several effective techniques to help you achieve that.
Ways to Prevent Eye Irritation While Chopping Onions
If you ask home cooks and professional chefs, you’ll get a variety of answers. Not all methods may work for you, but at least one of them should. Here are some of the best tricks you can try:
Prevention is better than cure. If you have airtight goggles, like swimming goggles, wearing them can block onion gases from reaching your eyes. It may look funny, but it works! Just be sure not to touch your eyes with onion-covered hands when removing them—wash your hands first. People who wear contact lenses may also notice a reduced tear response.
The highest concentration of sulfur compounds is found in the onion’s root. By cutting out the root and core in a cone shape before chopping, you can significantly reduce the release of irritating gases.
Try tilting your head back while cutting onions. The goal is to keep your eyes out of the direct path of onion gases. This technique may not completely stop irritation, but it can reduce the severity of tears. Just make sure your face is not directly over the onion.
If you’re chopping a large number of onions, especially in warm weather, use a fan to blow the onion fumes away from your face. Positioning yourself near a window or exhaust fan can also help. Additionally, chopping onions next to steam from a kettle or pot can help neutralize the airborne irritants.
Before chopping onions, light a candle near your cutting board. The flame will attract and burn off the sulfur compounds released from the onion, preventing them from reaching your eyes. However, you should still keep your face at a safe distance from the onion.
Just like how cutting citrus fruits can release juice into your eyes, the same can happen with onions. To minimize splattering, avoid using the tip of the knife when chopping. Instead, use the flat part of the blade for cleaner cuts.
Cold temperatures slow down the release of onion enzymes. Place the onion in the freezer for 10 minutes before cutting. Just be cautious—if stored near potatoes or apples, onions can absorb odors and affect their flavor.
Barbecue chefs often slice onions and soak them in cold water to reduce their sharpness. This method can also reduce the amount of irritating gases released. However, soaking may make the onion slightly softer but won’t significantly affect its taste.
Some chefs swear by this trick: hold an unlit matchstick in your mouth with the sulfur-coated tip facing outward. It is believed that the matchstick absorbs onion gases, reducing the tear effect.
Chewing gum while chopping onions is another common trick. However, for some people, multitasking can be difficult, and stopping chewing for even a second can bring on the tears. Instead of gum, you can also chew bread—just leave a small piece sticking out of your mouth. While this method is not the most attractive, it increases saliva production, which may help neutralize onion fumes.
If you do start tearing up, avoid wiping your eyes with onion-covered hands—this will only make the burning sensation worse. Always wash your hands thoroughly before touching your face.
Give these tricks a try and see which one works best for you!
