2006-09-26 00:44:27 · 13 answers · asked by horsey_gal94 1 in Food & Drink ➔ Other - Food & Drink
not always !
2006-09-26 00:51:20 · answer #1 · answered by kitthekat 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It is not the strong odor of the onion that makes us cry, but the substances that the onion releases when we cut this member of the lily family.
The onion contains some substances which contain sulfur. Sulfur is an irritant to both our noses and to our eyes. Cutting an onion releases these sulfur compounds. When these sulfur compounds come in contact with the water in our eyes, they produces sulfuric acid.
Sulfuric acid irritates the eyes. In response to this acid, our eyes automatically blink, and produce tears which wash the eye and flush out the acid.
2006-09-26 00:48:05 · answer #2 · answered by L6 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
white and yellow onions are the ones that have the strong fumes, so when cutting them the fumes come up and irritate the eyes.....to avoid this i peel them and soak in salted water for about a hour, it helps keep the fumes down a little.
2006-09-26 12:12:34 · answer #3 · answered by churchonthewayseniors 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
sulfuric acid in onions irritates your eyes, the eyes tear up to remove it.
2006-09-26 01:07:47 · answer #4 · answered by lawman 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tip hold a stainless steel teaspoon in your mouth or peel under running water.
2006-09-26 01:18:42 · answer #5 · answered by pink_birdp 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
gases held between the layers are released its these gases that make you cry.
try opening a window, turning the extaction fan on chopping fast or my personal favourite get someone else to do it
2006-09-26 00:53:18 · answer #6 · answered by danny 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
because onion knows humans are weaklings
2006-09-29 22:21:54 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's because the smell reminds us of our mother's kitchen at home and makes us very nostalgic.
2006-09-26 00:46:26 · answer #8 · answered by Gerard McCarthy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They tell such sad stories
2006-09-26 00:55:34 · answer #9 · answered by Dave B 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
http://home.howstuffworks.com/question539.htm
2006-09-26 00:46:54 · answer #10 · answered by Sparky 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
coz they are mean! fry them up til they stop!
2006-09-26 00:55:27 · answer #11 · answered by sunshine 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋