Happy & Healthy

Cutting onions without crying

Sometimes it happens and then I cry tears like a fountain and sometimes nothing happens at all. It also has to do with whether you are chopping a shallot or a very large white onion and what kind of knife you use. Anyway: it is incredibly annoying when you have to cry because of onions. It hurts, you can't see anything anymore and somehow you really feel a bit sad. You grab a tea towel, wipe all your mascara away and then it will be fine again. You can prevent it by applying these tricks:

– Use a razor-sharp and large knife. No small potato peelers then.

– Place the onion in the freezer for 10 minutes before use. That helps.

– Cut the onion under running water, that can also work.

– Place a candle next to your cutting board, then the (tear) enzymes have no chance to escape.

– Turn on the extractor fan.

People with contact lenses apparently never cry when cutting an onion.

– Wear diving or safety goggles. Hehe.

Why can it actually happen that you cry while cutting onions?

Okay, long story with difficult words, but it does explain it: in the cells of onions are various substances, including the enzyme alliinase and a sulfur-containing component. When you cut onions, you break the cells and air gets in. The alliinase then reacts with the sulfur-containing component. An acid is formed that is converted into a gas by another enzyme. When this gas comes into contact with (eye) moisture, a sulfuric acid compound is formed. This irritates your eyes, which try to wash away the sulfuric acid by tearing up.