How can I stop my eyes from streaming with tears when chopping onions?!
I've tried wearing wrap-around sunnies and big chunky safety goggles, but neither seem to work all that well! Does anyone have any ideas!?Www@FoodAQ@Com
Answers:
When you slice through an onion, you break open a number of onion cells!. Some of these cells have enzymes inside of them, and when they are sliced open, the enzymes escape!. The enzymes then decompose some of the other substances that have escaped from sliced cells!. Some of these substances, amino acid sulfoxides, form sulfenic acids, which then quickly rearrange themselves into a volatile gas!.
The gas reaches your eyes and reacts with the water that keeps them moist!. This changes the chemical's form again, producing, among other things, a mild sulfuric acid, which irritates the eyes!. The nerve endings in your eyes are very sensitive and so they pick up on this irritation (this is why our eyes sting when we slice onions)!. The brain reacts by telling your tear ducts to produce more water, to dilute the irritating acid so the eyes are protected!. Your other reaction is probably to rub your eyes, but this will actually make the irritation a lot worse, of course, if you have onion juices all over your hands!.
Peeling the onion and then chilling it in the refrigerator before you slice it will minimize the release of gas somewhat, because the change in temperature alters the compounds in the onion!. Cooking an onion before you slice it will work also, for the same reason!. Another easy solution is to cut the onion under water or run the tap over it as you slice!.
Some people say if you hold a lemon, piece of bread or a sugar cube in your mouth, the food will absorb the gas before it reaches your eyes!. Breathing with your mouth, instead of your nose, might also help because as you inhale, you suck the gas in and as you exhale, you blow it away!. This keeps a lot of the gas from ever reaching your eyes!.
hoped i helped =)
i did not copy and paste (hope i get best answer)Www@FoodAQ@Com
The gas reaches your eyes and reacts with the water that keeps them moist!. This changes the chemical's form again, producing, among other things, a mild sulfuric acid, which irritates the eyes!. The nerve endings in your eyes are very sensitive and so they pick up on this irritation (this is why our eyes sting when we slice onions)!. The brain reacts by telling your tear ducts to produce more water, to dilute the irritating acid so the eyes are protected!. Your other reaction is probably to rub your eyes, but this will actually make the irritation a lot worse, of course, if you have onion juices all over your hands!.
Peeling the onion and then chilling it in the refrigerator before you slice it will minimize the release of gas somewhat, because the change in temperature alters the compounds in the onion!. Cooking an onion before you slice it will work also, for the same reason!. Another easy solution is to cut the onion under water or run the tap over it as you slice!.
Some people say if you hold a lemon, piece of bread or a sugar cube in your mouth, the food will absorb the gas before it reaches your eyes!. Breathing with your mouth, instead of your nose, might also help because as you inhale, you suck the gas in and as you exhale, you blow it away!. This keeps a lot of the gas from ever reaching your eyes!.
hoped i helped =)
i did not copy and paste (hope i get best answer)Www@FoodAQ@Com
peel the onion and put it in the freezer for a while before chopping it!. i find that this really helps!. also make sure your knife is very sharp - this way you don't get so much of the juice spraying at you when you cut!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
Here's what I do!.!.!. I peel onion and chop it in half!. then I just rinse the two halfs in water and voila! it doesn't burn my eyes while I keep on chopping it!Www@FoodAQ@Com
if you ever find the answer to this let me know because i been looking 4 a way 4 years!.!.!.lolWww@FoodAQ@Com
I have put the onion in the freezer for 10 mins!. before cutting it and that works or you can chew gum while chopping!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
onions release tear gas!. Its best to stand back when chopping and if you need to you can wear swimming goggles!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
The best way and the way I do it!.!.!.!.is have someone else chop the onions!. Best way!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
Swimming goggles, or i have heard that if you suck on a spoon while cutting onions it stops your eyes from watering!?!?!?Www@FoodAQ@Com
burn a candle!. This should work because the heat "burns" the vapour which which irritates your eyes!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
put the onions in water for 2 hours before chopping it!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
Peel the onionscut in halves and soak them in water for 15/20 minutes before chopping!.!.this will help for sure!Www@FoodAQ@Com
Peel the onions cut in halves and soak them in cold water for 15 minutes before chopping!.!.this will help for sure!Www@FoodAQ@Com
You could try chewing gum see if that works!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
Breathe through your mouth!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
Wear contacts!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
My mum chews gum, and it works!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
Ive heard chewing gum while chopping will help!.!.!.!.who knows!?Www@FoodAQ@Com