Why do onions make you cry?
As any chef knows, cooking an onion produces a very strong aroma that most people enjoy. But cutting up an onion stings your eyes and makes you tear up uncontrollably. If you love to include onions in your dishes, you're probably frustrated by this all the time. So just what is it in onions that make them such an ordeal to prepare?
When you slice through an onion, you break open a number of onion cells. Some of these cells have enzymes inside of them, and when they are sliced open, the enzymes escape. The enzymes then decompose some of the other substances that have escaped from sliced cells. Some of these substances, amino acid sulfoxides, form sulfenic acids, which then quickly rearrange themselves into a volatile gas.
The gas reaches your eyes and reacts with the water that keeps them moist. This changes the chemical's form again, producing, among other things, a mild sulfuric acid, which irritates the eyes. The nerve endings in your eyes are very sensitive and so they pick up on this irritation (this is why our eyes sting when we slice onions). The brain reacts by telling your tear ducts to produce more water, to dilute the irritating acid so the eyes are protected. Your other reaction is probably to rub your eyes, but this will actually make the irritation a lot worse, of course, if you have onion juices all over your hands.
Oddly enough, this volatile compound is also responsible for a lot of the great taste in onions, as well as the pleasant aroma when you cook the vegetable. You'll also get sulfenic acids by cutting up garlic, chives and leeks, among other vegetables, but they don't form the same irritating gas, just a strong smell.
There are all kinds of remedies for dealing with this irritating phenomenon, some more effective than others. As a general rule, move your head as far away from the onion as you can, so the gas will mostly disperse before it reaches your eyes. If you really can't stand the tears, the simplest solution might be to wear goggles. This measure is very effective, but it may seem a bit extreme to those around you, and if your kitchen is steamy, you might not be able to see what you're doing (never a good idea when you're using a knife).
Peeling the onion and then chilling it in the refrigerator before you slice it will minimize the release of gas somewhat, because the change in temperature alters the compounds in the onion. Cooking an onion before you slice it will work also, for the same reason. Another easy solution is to cut the onion under water or run the tap over it as you slice.
Some people say if you hold a lemon, piece of bread or a sugar cube in your mouth, the food will absorb the gas before it reaches your eyes. Breathing with your mouth, instead of your nose, might also help because as you inhale, you suck the gas in and as you exhale, you blow it away. This keeps a lot of the gas from ever reaching your eyes.
2006-10-05 09:02:46
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answer #1
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answered by WiserAngel 6
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Well, I am sure you are going to get a lot of answers to this question. But the onion doesn't make you tear...believe it or not it is the juice inside. Everyone has their little remedies to "prevent the crying scene) like running water, sugar in the mouth, bread in the mouth, etc....but the only true way to keep from "tearing up"...hold the onion away when cutting. The bottom where the roots are hold the "potent" part of the onion, but the juice is what is getting in your eyes, you can't really see or feel it until it gets to the eyes, but tiny bits of juice are going to your face when you cut an onion. If you hold it at arms length and try cutting away (use a cutting board), believe it or not, you won't cry anymore.
2006-10-05 09:05:35
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answer #2
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answered by cdb774 3
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When you slice through an onion, you break open a number of onion cells. Some of these cells have enzymes inside of them, and when they are sliced open, the enzymes escape. The enzymes then decompose some of the other substances that have escaped from sliced cells. Some of these substances, amino acid sulfoxides, form sulfenic acids, which then quickly rearrange themselves into a volatile gas.
The gas reaches your eyes and reacts with the water that keeps them moist. This changes the chemical's form again, producing, among other things, a mild sulfuric acid, which irritates the eyes. The nerve endings in your eyes are very sensitive and so they pick up on this irritation (this is why our eyes sting when we slice onions). The brain reacts by telling your tear ducts to produce more water, to dilute the irritating acid so the eyes are protected. Your other reaction is probably to rub your eyes, but this will actually make the irritation a lot worse, of course, if you have onion juices all over your hands.
2006-10-05 09:03:06
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answer #3
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answered by Stephanie S 2
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the tears are brought about by skill of the onion gases as they are sliced and released. I keep a pair of keep glasses in my kitchen. the variety that in good condition all how on your eye corners and seals some thing off out of your eyes. They artwork tremendous. i have worked in kitchens for over 40 years now and not in any respect some thing works besides as this does. make confident you position the safe practices glasses on earlier you start up cleansing the onions although to keep out all gases.
2016-11-26 19:27:05
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answer #4
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answered by ? 4
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The acid in the oils are released when you cut the onion. They rise up and affect your tear ducts.....Putting them in the freezer for awhile will reduce the effect.
2006-10-05 09:06:11
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answer #5
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answered by Tom M 3
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Don't know why... but if you chew gum while cutting an onion, it'll stop the tears...
2006-10-05 09:19:19
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answer #6
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answered by Betty L 1
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When you cut or chop an onion the essential oils are released into the air and get into your eyes...try holding a piece of white bread in your mouth, on your tongue while you chop...this is an old wives' tale, but who knows maybe it works!
2006-10-05 09:03:42
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answer #7
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answered by crazylilwhitewoman 3
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I believe it's the sulfur contained in the onion that makes you teary. Now, why does sulfur make eyes cry?
2006-10-05 09:13:57
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answer #8
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answered by Delphine F 3
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It is all the stuff it emits when sliced into...put it in the freezer for 10 minutes then cut
2006-10-05 09:03:01
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answer #9
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answered by basport_2000 5
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I dunno! But I do know, if you chew gum while you cut up an onion, you won't tear up. Good luck!
2006-10-05 09:45:33
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answer #10
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answered by the_proms 4
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