why do onions make you cry?

Question

why do onions make you cry every time you try cutting into them it gets on my nerves every time plz help

Answer 1

It is not the strong odor of the onion that makes us cry, but the gas that the onion releases when we sever this member of the lily family.

The onion itself contains oil, which contains sulfur, an irritant to both our noses and to our eyes. Cutting an onion arouses a gas contained within the onion, propanethiol S-oxide, which then couples with the enzymes in the onion to emit a passive sulfur compound. When this upwardly mobile gas encounters the water produced by the tear ducts in our eyelids, it produces sulfuric acid.

In response to the caustic acid, our eyes automatically blink, and produce tears which irrigate the eye, and which flush out the sulfuric acid.

Another reflex to rid the eyes of a foreign substance, that of rubbing our eyes with our hands, often exacerbates the situation, because our hands are coated with the caustic, sulfuric acid producing oil from cutting the onion, which we then rub directly into our eyes.




Now I have found that if you put them in the freezer for 5-10 minutes before chopping you do not cry!

Answer 2

I can't remember exactly why onions make you cry. I think it has something to do with their oils release a vapor that is very irritating to the eyes.

If you want to be able to cut onions without crying try wearing glasses or goggles while you're cutting the onions to shield your eyes or buy a little machine called the "Handy Chop" that way you only have to cut the onion into quarters and the handy chop does the rest.

Answer 3

here r a few ways to help u from nt cryin
chewing a gum while cuttin

wetting the onions and your hands before slicing will lessen the effect

Chilled onions (onions kept in the fridge for a while) will make you 'cry' less than onions kept at room temperature because lower temperature inhibits the enzymes and gas diffusion. Also, some people 'freeze' the knife (leave it in the freezer for around 2 minutes) before cutting the onions to prevent the tears.

breath from ur mouth.....

and also try usin a really sharp knife.....

ok gogs or glasses dont help....i ve tried this it doesnt help

Answer 4

the onion emits a odor that causes burning,tearing of the eyes, as protection. you can stop this by placing the onion in the freezer for about 10-20 minutes depending on your freezer, you do not want to freeze the onion, just get it real cold. then remove it and cut it the way you want tear free! hope this helps you

Answer 5

2 issues: attempt wearing shielding eyewear (like for carpentry,) or positioned a piece of bread superb out of your mouth at the same time as reducing. It seems ridiculous although the bread will take up the onion vapors in the previous they get on your eyes. Soaking the onion in water may also help yet you may slice the onion in the previous soaking it besides, and the soaking will lose distinctive the onion style in case you're cooking with it. replace: Gotta bypass with toddler i desire You undesirable in this one. Alton Brown regulations!

Answer 6

Onions make you cry because of essential oils they have, including sulfur. They vaporise very easy and they go in your eyes, and make you cry.
A good way to avoid this, is to cut the onion in a bucket filled with water, so the water will prevent the vapors getting in your eyes.

Answer 7

Onions are an irritant to your eyes. To prevent the watering and burning, chew a piece of gum while cutting an onion. I don't know why it works but it does!!!

Answer 8

There is a chemical that is released when you cut them. Try cutting them under running water. Oh, you can putr either salt, or lemon juice on your hands after you cut up the onion to get the smell off your hands afterward.

Answer 9

Sulfuric compounds. Put the onions in the fridge for a while then cut them at the root.

Answer 10

They irritate the eyes causing them to produce tears to soothe the irritated mucus membrane.
I suggest you wear goggles while cutting onions.