Sob Story: Preventing Onion Tears

If your onion cutting experiences usually involve a full out sob-fest, you are not alone. Slicing into an onion triggers a chain of chemical reactions that produce a compound called syn-propanethial-S-oxide (say that 5 times fast!). Your eyes, sensing this potentially dangerous presence, release water as a defense mechanism. Tired of crying over your onions? Here are a few tips on how to avoid tears:

1. Chop an onion beneath running water.

2. Turn on a fan while cutting an onion to scatter the sulfur compounds.

3. Wear goggles or glasses to protect your eyes.

4. Chill or cook an onion before chopping it.

Source: howstuffworks.com

Image Source: http://knowledgefog.com/chewing-gum-can-avoid-tears-when-cutting-onions/