2006-11-23 10:00:49 · 7 answers · asked by _DestroyingAngel_ 3 in Food & Drink ➔ Cooking & Recipes
How onions make you "cry"?
When you slice an onion, you cut number of onion cells which causes some of its enzymes to escape. The enzymes then decompose some of the other substances that have escaped from sliced cells. Some of these substances are amino acid sulfoxides which 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 undergo chemical change producing a mild sulfuric acid which irritates the eyes. As defense reaction to irritation more water in the eyes are produced.☺
2006-11-23 10:15:39 · answer #1 · answered by ♥ lani s 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It's actually oxcillic acid, that is found in members of the onion family, including garlic, of course, onions, scallions (green or spring onions) leeks and the like.......my best one for chopping onions tear free is to either buy a cheap pair of swimmer's goggles (like the Olympic athletes use) and use as sharp as possible a knife......also, winter (cold) forces more oxcillic acid into the center of onions (a survival mechanism) during cold spells, that is why winter onions are so much more pungent than onions harvested during other times of the year.....Oh, and BTW, onions are a trememdous health benefit.......lowers cholesterol as does garlic, and the combination of the both, though it doesn't make the nicest of breath, just make sure that the person you're with eats them too......
2006-11-23 19:56:59 · answer #2 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
onions contain chemicals that are released only when cut and are more potent when done with a dull knife...which is why chefs don't "cry" b/c they use very sharp knives and do it quickly. The chemical is called suberin and is heat sensitive. If you cut them near heat on in warm water it lesses the effects of the chemical.
2006-11-23 18:14:03 · answer #3 · answered by MochaLatte 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Not sure, but if you cut a bit of bread and put in between your upper lip and your teeth your eyes don't water at all, or at least as much. The bread keeps your mouth partly open. I haven't a clue why it works, but it does.
2006-11-23 18:05:57 · answer #4 · answered by Heyhey 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not really sure...but if you put a piece of bread in your mouth and breath through your nose when peeling and cutting onions, you will not "cry"
2006-11-23 18:04:51 · answer #5 · answered by breezygirl 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
my granny sayed that onions have a heart that's why.
2006-11-23 18:21:16 · answer #6 · answered by T-MAC 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it is the things in it that make u "cry" and put water right under your eyes and u will not "cry"
2006-11-23 18:12:32 · answer #7 · answered by girly_not_girly 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋