Is there any way to NOT cry while cutting onions? I have realyy bad sinus issues and when I cut onins, I just can't stop crying! My nose starts running too, it's sooo gross! Please help!!! If you have any tips or even different types of onions I can buy I would greatly appriciate it!! Than you sooo much!!!
2007-09-04 05:50:39 · 18 answers · asked by Annie 4 in Food & Drink ➔ Cooking & Recipes
onions make you cry because when you rupture the cell walls it causes "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 diffuses through the air and eventually reaches the eye, where it reacts with the water to form a diluted solution of sulfuric acid." (wikipedia, search 'onions')
so the best way to avoid that is to use a Very sharp knife, with a good, sturdy, non-serrated, thin blade ( don't use something thick like a butchers knife/cleaver is what i'm saying), cut don't crush, use back and forth motions, dont' just push down. do it as quickly as you can without abandoning safety.
other things you can do. cut the onion in half and soak in cold water, it'll draw out some of the harshness.
or just set up a fan right next to it to blow all the chemicals away before than reach your peepers. hehehehe
!Alexiis
2007-09-07 19:23:18 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i dont know if this actually works, but i was watching martha stewart's show a couple of weeks back and she said it would help of you soak the onions (skin on) in water with a bit of salt for a couple of minutes.
but other chefs and professional caterers like tyler florence and ina garten say that the only way to not cry when cutting onions is to cut it as quick as you can, and to make sure your head (nose) stays as far as possible from the onions.
2007-09-04 13:01:14 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Put them in the freezer for about 15 minutes before you cut them. Vidalia Onions and Shallots don't make you tear up.
2007-09-04 13:30:23 · answer #3 · answered by Helpfulhannah 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Cut the stem off last
Cut them underwater
Use a really, really, REALLY sharp knife (this is the best solution really)
Safety goggles (I'm not kidding)
Chew gum
Hold a piece of bread in your mouth
Hold a spoon in your mouth (not at the same time as the bread)
2007-09-04 13:05:17 · answer #4 · answered by LX V 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
This works cause I had the same problem. May sound really stupid though. Have a mouth of water while u cut them and your eyes won't water!
2007-09-04 12:59:53 · answer #5 · answered by rach r 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I only use sweet vidalia onions for the same reason. They do not make you tear up.
2007-09-04 13:28:30 · answer #6 · answered by ~ Floridian`` 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Get one of those magic bullet things. All you have to do is put the onion in there and it chops it for u
2007-09-04 13:00:52 · answer #7 · answered by dog lover 032 1 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Go to the nearest Army, Navy store and buy one of those
WWII gas mask, also loads of fun at Halloween, scareing
the crap out of the neighbor hood kids.
2007-09-04 13:01:19 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
Get someone elso to cut the onions.
2007-09-04 12:57:43 · answer #9 · answered by My Final Answer 3 · 1⤊ 4⤋
i go with him, get someone else 2 cut the onions, let him (the person u live with) do it
2007-09-04 13:00:30 · answer #10 · answered by fatima b 4 · 0⤊ 4⤋