How to slice and chop onions without ‘crying’

From ArticleWorld

To slice and chop onions without ‘crying’ may seem impossible to those with extra sensitive eyes but it is possible. Some people make a whole meal out of chopping onions and resort to all kinds of contrived customs to avoid the fumes when the solution to chopping an onion without shedding a single tear is just a knife flick away. Actually there are several ways to do it and you can pick one that suits you best.

A few suggestions

1. Put an unpeeled onion in the freezer and freeze it for 20 minutes before chopping/ slicing/ cutting it. You will not ‘cry’ because the sulfuric compounds contained in the onion do not react with the air as quickly when they are cold.
2. Cut a cone at the bottom of the onion, the root end, roughly about a third of the diameter of the onion and about 1/3 deep. Throw it away and chop the onion the usual way without crying.
3. Light two fragrant candles close to you when slicing onions. Not only do the candles smell great they also burn up the fumes that cause the tears.
4. Peel the onion, cut it in half and soak it in water for a few minutes before cutting it. The water dilutes the sulfuric compounds.

Do’s

• The easy way out is to use swimming goggles while chopping onions. Works like a charm though the sulfuric fumes fog up your vision from time to time.
• Use a food processor to chop onions.

Don’ts

• Don’t use a blunt knife to chop or cut onions. A sharp knife releases less sulfuric fumes as compared to a blunt knife.
• Don’t keep your mouth open while chopping onions.