Onions add their own flavor and strong aroma to the dishes they are used in, but, anyone involved with preparation of one such dish would know that they'd make you cry like a baby. Ever wondered why they did that to you?
To find out read on, when you slice through an onion, there are enzymes that are released. These enzymes decompose other substances released and form acids while becoming gas/vapor. This gas when comes into contact with water in your eyes, forms a mild Sulfuric acid, among other things. Tear ducts in your eyes produce more water to dilute the irritating Sulfuric acid thus protecting your eyes.
What not to do? Do not rub your eyes with onion juice all over your hands.
Instead move your head away from the onions when slicing them in order to avoid the irritating gas.
What to do?
As a solution, peeling the onions before slicing them and chilling in the refrigerator somewhat reduces the release of gas due to the temperature changes.
From my observations that peeling the onions and keeping them in salt water reduces the release of the irritating gas.
If you want to get a little fancy, there are goggles available that would help you protect your eyes while chopping onions.
If you want to read more on this phenomenon, you'd find that here.
Happy Chopping Onions!
Let there be peace. .::V::.
Cheers to Life!
~M~
