Emma Miller
Fresh onions are an insidious product that makes many housewives cry while slicing them. This is because when you cut an onion, it triggers a series of chemical reactions. Eventually, a gas is released, it evaporates, reaches your mucous membranes, and turns into acid, which irritates the lining of the eye.
What to do if onions make your eyes very stingy – effective tips
In order to avoid shedding tears and rubbing your eyes while cooking fresh onions, try to get rid of the burning:
- light a fire – a burning burner or fire creates a flame that reduces the concentration of substances that irritate your mucous membranes;
- pour cold water – take a deep container, dip onions in ice water, and chop them right there;
- use the microwave – put the onion in the oven for 25-30 seconds, then the concentration of tear-inducing substances in the onion will decrease;
- freeze onions – put an onion in the freezer for 10-15 minutes, then quickly slice it before it has time to warm up;
- chew gum – when you chew menthol or any other gum, you exhale with your mouth, so it is difficult for the tear-enhancing substances to reach the mucous membranes;
- pour boiling water – put a glass with boiling water next to you, then the steam will reduce the concentration of irritants in the air;
- soak the onion – leave the vegetable in cold water for 5-10 minutes, this method will help “wash” the irritants out of it.
There is another interesting option – put on swimming goggles and chop the vegetable in them. Of course, it may seem strange, but it’s effective – you just protect your eyes from onion vapors.
