Is there a way not to cry while.....?

Question

chopping onions?

Answer 1

burn a candle right by your cutting board-it totally works

Answer 2

I know 2 ways that help prevent it...it doesn't always work, but they do in many cases where I have utilized them.

1.) Cut the onion under running water over a colander. You have to slice the top of the onion, first and then peel the unwanted skin off. Then under water, make several lengthwise cuts across the top and then repeat widthwise...so you can cut little chop cubes from the top.

2.) Place a piece of bread under your tongue, and keep it there until its mushy, eat it and put another piece there. You would then go and chop the onion like you would normally on a cutting board.

Answer 3

Refrigerate the onion 30 minutes prior to chopping.

When chopping, don't cut the root off. The root contains the most of the chemical that causes eye irritation.

Wear protective eye gear.

Chew on a piece on white bread while chopping.

Use food processor to chop your onions.

Do not use a blunt knife to chop onions.

Answer 4

Heard and tried them all. From holding a steel pin in the mouth to the bread to the running cold water. The only time my eyes never watered while chopping onions was when I was wearing contact lenses which makes some sense with the goggle theory.

Answer 5

From Wikipedia.org: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onion

"Onions and crying

"As onions are sliced, cells are broken, allowing enzymes called alliinases to break down sulfides and generate sulfenic acids (amino acid sulfoxides). Sulphenic acids are unstable and decompose into a volatile gas called syn-propanethial-S-oxide. The gas dissipates through the air and eventually reaches the eye, where it reacts with the water to form a dilute solution of sulfuric acid. This acid irritates the nerve endings in the eye, making them sting. Tear glands produce tears to dilute and flush out the irritant.[5]

"Supplying ample water to the reaction prevents the gas from reaching the eyes. Eye irritation can, therefore, be avoided by cutting onions under running water or submerged in a basin of water. Rinsing the onion and leaving it wet while chopping may also be effective. Chilling or freezing onions prevents the enzymes from activating, limiting the amount of gas generated. Using a sharp blade to chop onions will limit the cell damage and the release of enzymes that drive the irritation response.

"The volume of sulphenic acids released, and the irritation effect, differs among Allium species."

Answer 6

I was always told to chop the base off the onion or hold a piece of bread in my mouth kinda looks silly but it works.

I found a website that agrees with what I was told too.

Hope it works for you

Answer 7

Yes there is. Burn a candle next to the onion as you chop

Answer 8

I have not tried it but they say if you chew on a piece of bread while chopping onions, it keeps you from crying. Try it, you won't lose anything.

Answer 9

Along the cold theme...
putting the onions, cutting board and knife into the freezer for 10-20 mins. before chopping helps...
those contained chopper/hacker things work well...
rinse hands and utensils with cold water only so the smell doesn't stay....
also consider airflow.

good luck

Answer 10

I was told to run your peeled onion and the knife you are going to use under cold water before you cut into them. It cuts down on the fine spray of onion juice that hits the air and causes the tears.

Answer 11

Get someone else to do the chopping,

I never cry when chopping onions.

kby