Why Do Onions Make You Cry With Proven Ways To Stop It

Everytime I have to prepare onions for a meal, I dread the painful tears that follow.  Just yesterday as I was slicing onions, tears began to flow uncontrollably. Frustration while wiping my eyes made me wonder why do onions make you cry and is there a way to cut onions without crying? If you are someone like me who loves onions in all forms then this question must be bothering you as well.

Onion tears are something almost everyone experiences, from home cooks to professional chefs. But what causes these waterfalls? and is there something you can do to avoid it?  Let’s find out.

In this article, we’ll explore the science behind onion tears and discuss 10 proven ways to cut an onion without crying. So, move that chopping board away and let’s learn how to get rid of those painful onion tears!

Why Do Onions Make You Cry?

Onions grow underground where they absorb minerals from under the soil. One of the minerals onions absorb the most from under the Earth is sulfur. So when we ask why do onions make you cry—the simple answer lies in the chemistry of onions. 

According to studies, onions contain a lot of enzymes. When you cut an onion this sulfur along with other enzymes release in the air. When these compounds are released and mixed together, they create a chemical known as syn-propanethial-S-oxide. These chemicals react with the moisture in your eyes and create a mild sulfuric acid that causes irritation and makes your eyes tear. Tears are a trigger response from the brain to help us wash away these irritants. 

So when you are cutting through the onion, you kind of damage its cells, releasing all the chemical compounds that trigger this reaction. 

Onions have layers—lots of them—and the deeper you go, the more intense the tear-triggering effect. For people with extreme eye sensitivity to onions, even a small cut can feel like a full-on crying session. And it’s not just a myth—scientists have studied this for years to understand why these everyday vegetables can make us sob like we’re watching the saddest movie.

Interestingly, the painful sensation from onions is also linked to their defense mechanism. Onions evolved this way to fend off animals and pests, but now, humans are the ones suffering.

Let’s face it: nothing good comes from these onion tears, except that maybe this crying could make your eyelashes grow. So is there something you can do to get rid of onion tears? Most definitely. 

10 Proven Ways To Cut An Onion Without Crying

You must have wondered how do chefs chop onions without crying while watching your favorite cooking show. Are they immune to it? What is the magic technique they use? 

“Understanding a little of why onion slicing is such an eye-stinging ordeal helps you dice onions without turning you into a snotty, blubbering mess,” says Dr. Stuart Farrimond, food science presenter for the BBC.

If you have always envied people who dont cry while cutting onions, fear not! It turns out there are a few simple tricks and practical hacks that can help you chop onions without letting the floodgates open. Let’s have a look at 10 proven ways to cut an onion without crying.

1. Use a Wet Paper Towel

The science behind this hack is simple: the onion’s fumes are attracted to moisture. By placing a wet paper towel near the onion while chopping, the sulfur compounds are absorbed by the towel before they reach your eyes. This can significantly reduce the irritation, reduce tears and stop eyes burning from onions. 

2. Refrigerate or Freeze the Onion

Cold temperatures slow down the release of the tear-inducing chemicals. By placing your onion in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes or in the freezer for 10 minutes before cutting, you can reduce its potency. 

I tried this method, you know, for research purposes, and I immediately noticed how the irritation in my eyes was visibly less. This method is the easiest and best way to slice onions without triggering tears.

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3. Microwave the Onion

Microwaving an onion for a few seconds before cutting can break down some of the enzymes responsible for producing the irritating gas. 

You can do this by following these simple steps: 

1. Cut both ends of the onion first 
2. Microwave it for a few seconds
3. Keep it aside for sometime
4. Chop away! 

Just be careful not to microwave it too long, or you’ll end up cooking your onion slightly.

4. Soak the Onion in Water

Does soaking onions in water help reduce tears? Yes! Soaking the onions in water helps in dissolving some of the compounds that reduces its intensity while cutting. 

Submerge the onion in water for a few minutes before slicing it, or cut it under running water to keep the tears away. 

Pro tip: Cut the onions in 3-4 big chunks before soaking them to make the technique more effective. 

5. Use Kitchen Goggles

Yes, kitchen goggles are a real thing, and they work! These goggles create a protective seal around your eyes which prevent the onion fumes from reaching your eyes. This makes your onion cutting experience tear free. While this method may look a bit funny, it’s highly effective for people with extreme eye sensitivity to onions. 

These onion cutting glasses are easily available on amazon and other e-commerce websites and the best part is that they are super affordable. So say goodbye to tears without burning a hole in your pocket. 

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6. Hold a Matchstick Between Your Teeth

Now this may seem like a joke, but an old kitchen folklore suggests to hold a matchstick between your teeth while cutting onions. It is said that the red end of the matchstick can absorb some of the gasses released before they reach your eyes. 

This might also work with a toothpick apparently. There’s not much scientific evidence to back this up, but many people claim it works.

7. Add Acid

Adding acidic substances like a splash of lemon juice or vinegar can help prevent the painful eye burning while chopping onions. According to studies, adding these acidic elements alters the pH that slows the enzymes down. 

This significantly reduces the stinging in your eyes without hampering the taste of the onion. In fact, it enhances the flavor of the onion as the acids stay intact inside the onion. 

8. Use a Sharp Knife

As you cut an onion, you are damaging its cells that causes it to release the irritating compounds. When you use a dull knife, you are crushing and doing more damage to the part of onion that makes you cry. 

Using a sharp knife minimizes the damage to onion’s cells, reducing the amount of sulfuric acid released. As the amount of gas released is less, the irritation caused in your eyes will also be less. 

9. Chew Gum 

Chewing gum is another popular trick that people cutting onions use to prevent tears. 

The theory behind this method is that while chewing gum you are forced to breathe through your mouth. This diverts the fumes away from your nose and eyes. 

Some claim that this method works well, while some mythbusters suggest that this doesn’t make any difference. Well, on the plus side at least your breath will be fresh while cooking. 

10. Try Bread

It is believed that holding a piece of bread in your mouth while cutting onions absorbs some of the onion’s fumes before they reach your eyes. It’s another old trick that many people claim works.

Remember to keep a part of the bread hanging outside of your mouth while cutting so the bread can absorb the fumes properly. While this may make you look like a meme, it’s worth a try!

While these were the common 10 proven ways to cut an onion without crying, here are a few additional hacks that might come handy.

• You can try chopping onions fast: This can minimize the time your eyes are exposed to the compounds. 
• Use a fan: This will help blow the fumes away before they reach your eyes.
• Put a spoon in your mouth: It is believed that putting a spoon in your mouth attracts the sulfuric compounds.
• Light a candle: The flame of the candle is believed to help burn off some of the sulfuric compounds released by the onion before they reach your eyes.
• Use substitutes: You can simply peel shallots instead of onions if you don’t want to shed tears. They have fewer sulfur compounds, making them a tear-free alternative.

Over the years, many hacks and tips have circulated about how to stop onions making you cry. While some of these hacks work for few people, not all of them are scientifically proven.

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But after going through all these tips, if you are still wondering: Is there a way to cut onions without crying altogether? The simple answer is no—unless you stop cutting onions altogether!

Using a combination of the above hacks, you can drastically reduce your discomfort. The key is finding what works best for you, whether that’s using a wet paper towel, wearing kitchen goggles, or getting creative with memes and jokes to lighten the mood. 

Conclusion: Tear-Free Onion Cutting 

So, now you know why do we cry when we cut onion. While avoiding the tears altogether might be challenging, you can certainly use hacks to prevent them. 

Cutting onions is an inevitable part of cooking, but that doesn’t mean you have to suffer through the painful tears every time. With these 10 proven ways to cut an onion without crying, you can enjoy a tear-free experience and focus on perfecting your dish rather than wiping your eyes.

So next time you head into the kitchen to cut an onion, remember these hacks and enjoy the tearless onion-cutting process like a pro. Happy cooking!