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Why are we crying over onions
It’s all chemistry. Scientists even say that the vapors that onions give off are chemical weapons against microbes and animals.
When we cut the onion, we damage the cells of the vegetable, releasing the enzyme allinase. It comes in contact with sulfenic acid compounds, another component of onions. The result is a volatile substance similar to tear gas. And when this substance mixes with the liquid on the cornea of the eyes, sulfuric acid is formed, it is she who tries to burn out our eyes.
Scientists have tried to develop a type of onion that will not act so cruelly on the cornea. But so far unsuccessful – you understand, there are more important concerns.
4 ways to get rid of tears
Method 1: cold
Maybe you noticed that it is easier to cut onions if they have been in the refrigerator before? There is a good reason for this: a cold vegetable emits less toxic fumes when sliced. It is enough to keep it in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes. It is also better to cool the knife, just in case, and during the cutting process from time to time put it under a stream of cold water.
Method 2: wind
Onions are advised to chop with the fan on, under the air conditioner, or at least with the hood turned on. This is how toxic fumes are dispersed or partially sucked into the ventilation system. Your eyes will get less – tested, works. If there is nothing like this in the kitchen, then you can at least whistle – this way you will drive off onion vapors from your face and eyes.
Method 3: spice
The sharpness of the knife, of course. The better the knife is sharpened, the less damage to the cells of the onion when cutting. Therefore, the type of tool also matters: a serrated knife will not work, it, on the contrary, will only worsen the situation.