onions & eyes?

Question

why does onion sting your eyes an make them water when you cut them an handle them whats in them to make your eyes like that, an they say to fill the sink up an cut them under the water would that help??????

Answer 1

Its a chemical reaction caused by breaking the cell walls and releasing sulfur. The only method that works is to chill the onions thoroughly before cutting them. Cutting them under water sounds pretty dangerous and I don't suggest you try it.

Answer 2

I had an old lady tell me years ago when you want to slice or cut onions take a spoon steel one and put it upside down in your mouth and then cut the onions I didn't believe her but tried it and it works.

Answer 3

i was given the suggestion to leave the root end intact while slicing the onion to keep the tears away. another tried and true way to get the onion odor off your hands is to run a stainless steel knife over your hands while holding your hands under water. it really works.

Answer 4

In cooking school we were taught to breathe through your mouth only. Breathing through the nose makes for easier passage to your sinuses hence the tears.

Answer 5

here is a secret my grandmother taught me and it works
KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT WHILE PEELIN ONIONS!
try it it works

Answer 6

if ya chew gum this wont happen