Onions 101! Slice, Dice, and No Tears: My Advice to Cutting Onions Tear-Free.

Onions are a culinary staple, adding depth and flavor to countless dishes. But for many home cooks, the mere thought of chopping an onion brings tears to their eyes. If you've ever found yourself sobbing over a cutting board, you're not alone. In this blog, we'll explore scientifically-backed techniques to help you slice onions like a pro—without the waterworks.

Have you ever asked exactly why cutting onions make you cry? Well, I'm about to tell you! Before I dive into solutions, let's understand the culprit. When you cut an onion, you rupture its cells, releasing a volatile sulfur-containing compound called syn-propanethial-S-oxide. This gas irritates the nerve endings in your eyes, triggering a protective tear response. It's basically your body's way of trying to wash away the irritant. So, while we don't like the onion tears, our bodies are actually trying to protect us!

Here are a few proven tear-prevention techniques for you to try.

Chill the onions in the refrigerator before cutting it. Cold temperatures slow down the enzymatic reaction that creates the tear-inducing gas. You can refrigerate your onions for 15 minutes before cutting. It's really helps. 

Try placing the onion in the freezer for 5-10 minutes. You should also keep your cutting board and knife cold as well.

You can also increase the mastery of your cutting techniques! A sharp knife is essential for the no tear slice or dice. You cut can significantly reduce onion tear production by using a sharp knife to make clean cuts that damage fewer cells. 

Cutting onion near a running fan or simply opening the window to blow away the gases will help significantly.

You can also try the "root last" method. So, what you do is leave the root end intact until last, as it contains the highest concentration of irritating compounds. This is hit or miss, just all of the methods are in this post.

Wearing protective eyewear is not just for science labs! Wearing tight-fitting glasses or even swimming goggles while chopping creates a physical barrier between the onion's gases and your eyes. You may not like it, but it really helps! Here's my pro chef tip: If you wear contacts, they can actually provide a protective layer!

There are natural kitchen hacks that can help neutralize the onion's tear-causing compounds. Try cutting onions near a lit candle. The flame helps neutralize the onions gas. You can also use a slice of bread in your mouth to absorb the irritating compounds of the onion. Having running water or a fan nearby also helps to disperse the gases

Cutting under running water actually works though it's not always practical. Cutting onions under running water or while partially submerged in water can dramatically reduce tear production. The water helps wash away the irritating compounds before they reach your eyes.

Here are some bonus onion cutting tips for you! 

     ---Wear old clothes you don't mind getting a bit damp.

     ---Keep a box of tissues nearby, just in case those onion tears are slipping by! 

     ---Practice makes perfect—the more onions you cut, the better you'll become at managing the process and that's exactly what it is, a process! 

Experiment with the online methods. Once you find the method that works for you, practice, practice, practice!

A final word of caution for you. While these methods can significantly reduce tears, they might not eliminate them completely. Everyone's sensitivity is different, so experiment to find what works best for you.

Happy chopping, and may your eyes stay dry, your dishes delicious and may you dine sufficiently!