Stop crying in the kitchen: learn to cut onions without tears

Slicing onions is one of the most frustrating activities in the kitchen. And even those with a passion for culinary arts need all the willpower at their disposal to start and finish the process.

Good news: you no longer need to swallow tears and endure pain in your eyes! Knife masters shared life hacks on how to cut onions without tears.

Why does it sting your eyes and tears when cutting onions

Tear when slicing onions is caused by a volatile substance in its composition - a lacrimator (from Lat. - "tear"). The compound is released when the vegetable cells are damaged. A side effect of the volatile substance is the ability to induce tears.

Getting on the mucous membrane of the eye in the form of vapor and interacting with moisture, the lacrimator releases sulfuric acid, which irritates tissues and causes cramps. The body tries to protect the mucous membrane by actively secreting tear fluid.

In order not to cry when cutting onions, you need to reduce the activity of the lacrimator... This can be done in several ways.

How to stop crying and chop onions without tears

It is believed that professional chefs and experienced housewives do not cry when slicing onions, because their eyes and lacrimal glands get used to this process. In reality, the situation is different: anyone, having the necessary knowledge, will make it easier for themselves to cook with onions.

Freezing

Place the onion in the freezer for 10 minutes or in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before you start cutting it. Cooling will slow down the release of sulfur compounds, which cause tears and irritation to the eyes. It is recommended to chill and the carving knife.

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Warming up

To avoid irritation and tears chop the onion into large pieces, dip them in a boiling pan for a couple of minutes, and then continue cutting.

Under water

What can you do to avoid crying over onions if you don't have enough time to freeze them in the freezer? Hold the bulbs under cold running water... You can cut them directly under running water or in a container under water. The substances that cause tears are soluble in liquids. The water will wash them off before they get to your eyes.

Near the ferry

You can chop an onion next to boiling water - the vapor will disperse the tear substance.

Next to the candle

Open flame can burn sulfur compounds... Light a candle and place it near the cutting board. If your kitchen has a gas stove, cut the food next to the cooking zone.

Sharp knife

A well-sharpened knife can make the onion not pinch the eyes. Thanks to the sharpness he makes clear cuts, thereby damaging fewer onion cells... As a result, the release of lacrimator is significantly reduced. A sharp knife will help you cut faster, which will reduce eye exposure time. Additionally, periodically wet the blade under cold running water.

With glasses

Sealed scuba diving goggles will perfectly protect your eyes from corrosive vapors... The main thing is that they fit snugly around the eye area.

Using a wooden spoon

Folk legend says that if you hold a wooden spoon in your mouth, it will absorb the vapor of the sulfur substance and protect your eyes.However experts believe that this method is not only inconvenient, but also ineffective.

Drinking water while slicing onions

What can you do to prevent the onion from pinching your eyes if there are no additional funds at hand? Use plain water, it is a universal filter and solvent for substances. When slicing, it can be used in several ways:

• wet the knife;
• take a mouthful of cold water;
• wash, but do not wipe your face.

Read also:

Garlic peel: beneficial properties and methods of application

What is the danger of potatoes and can they be poisoned

How to quickly and deliciously cook canned asparagus

Chewing gum

Chewing gum will help you cut the onion so that your eyes do not water. Alternatively, use parsley instead of chewing gum.

Other ways and life hacks

A few more ways that help prevent watery eyes when chopping onions:

1. Do not trim the root of the onion at the start of cooking. It is in this part that the largest amount of sulfur compounds is contained, so you should get rid of it last.
2. Moisten a cutting board with a mixture of equal proportions of water and vinegar. The vinegar will stop the emission of harmful fumes. If the mixture does not work, increase the vinegar concentration, but this may affect the taste of the onions in the finished dish.
3. Sprinkle salt on the cutting board.
4. You can peel the onion without tears by sticking your tongue out.
5. Soak the bulbs in warm, slightly salted water for a few minutes before cutting.
6. Open a window or place a fan near the cooking area to drive off the steam from the cut onion from your face.
7. Take a slice of bread in your mouth, leaving half of it sticking out. It will help absorb onion fumes.
8. Put two matches in your mouth with the sulfur heads inward.
9. Switch on the hood.
10. If it burns, sniff something with a strong scent. This will kill the sulfuric substance.
11. Breathe through your mouth. This will suck in irritating mucous before it reaches eye level.
12. Talk, sing or recite poetry - vibrations in the air will carry the sulfur fumes away from your eyes, nose and mouth.
13. Blow on the bow while cutting.
14. Rub a lemon slice on the board. Citrus neutralizes the action of onion secretions.
15. Use a food processor. But don't open it right away so the fumes don't reach your eyes.

Reviews

Housewives struggle with tearing while cutting onions in different ways..

Irina, 27 years old:  “I am sharing a great way to cut onions without tears. You will need a hood, a bow itself, and a board with a knife. Turn on the hood to maximum power, place a cutting board directly underneath it on the stovetop and start cutting. Beauty!".

Ekaterina, 43 years old: “It's very simple: peel the onion, cut it in half under running cold water (if the onion is vigorous or large, then into 4 parts) and put it in the freezer for 3-5 minutes. And that's it! I have long forgotten the last time I cried from an onion ".

Tasha, 30 years old: “I read on the Internet that you need to put a lit candle next to the board. Checked it works! You can peel tons of onions this way - no tears! I hope someone will find this advice useful. ".

Conclusion

The process of cutting onions can really be made comfortable, without tears, irritation and sore eyes. The most effective way is to use a sharp knife and pre-freeze the onion in the refrigerator. If you don't have time for this, try other effective life hacks for yourself.