How to cut onions

Onion can be said to be a very common vegetable. I believe everyone knows that the juice in onions is very spicy and has a strong irritating effect on people's eyes and noses. Therefore, people will feel spicy in their eyes when cutting onions, and they can't help rubbing their eyes with their hands, which will make their eyes more and more spicy and even cause tears. If you want to learn how to cut onions without irritating your eyes, please read below.

Onion, also known as shallot, round onion, and bulb onion, is one of the main cultivated vegetables in my country. There are three types of onions: white, purple and yellow. Among the three, purple onions have the spiciest taste and the strongest smell; white onions have higher moisture and sweetness, and a lighter spicy taste; yellow onions are the cheapest and have a stronger spicy flavor, but are sweeter than purple onions.

Onions have many benefits. Regular consumption can not only regulate qi and stomach, strengthen the spleen and digestion, kill bacteria and reduce inflammation, but also prevent cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, lower blood lipids, lower blood sugar, lower cholesterol, eliminate phlegm and promote diuresis, and resist aging. Therefore, onions are also called the "Queen of Vegetables". Although onions have many benefits, cutting onions is not an easy task. Onions contain a substance called alliinase. When onions are cut, the onion cells are broken and this enzyme is converted into gaseous chemical components and released into the air. When this chemical component comes into contact with the eyes, it stimulates the nerve endings of the cornea, and the brain then orders the tear glands to continuously secrete tears to wash away the irritant. Therefore, the more onions you cut, the more volatile gas there is in the air, and of course you will "tears like rain".

Cut after freezing

Wash the onions and put them in the refrigerator for more than 30 minutes before taking them out to cut them, because the low temperature will reduce the activity of alliinase in the onions, thereby reducing the production of gas that can irritate the eyes.

Cut in water

Put the onion in water and cut it, or rinse it with tap water while cutting it, so that the gas produced by the onion can dissolve in the water. This will prevent the volatile gas from irritating your eyes and causing tears. But this wastes too much water, and it is difficult to find a container that can hold the cutting board, and it is not easy to operate.

Cut with swimming goggles

Cutting onions with swimming goggles can block the volatile gases from contacting the eyes. Although this method is simple and crude, it is the most direct and effective. However, it is more limited for people with myopia.

Soak in clean water

Wash and peel the onion, remove the tail and soak in clean water for about 5 minutes. Take out the soaked onions, place another bowl of water on the counter, and immediately put the cut onions into the bowl of water. After cutting, continue to soak them for a few minutes before taking them out and draining the water.

Microwave Heating

Wash the whole onion, cut off the tail, put it in the microwave for half a minute, then take it out and cut it. The principle is that high-temperature heating can also destroy the activity of enzymes in onions and reduce the production of volatile gases.

Chewing gum

Chewing gum while cutting onions can also reduce their "destructive power". One reason is that chewing gum can distract attention; the other reason is that there is a small hole between the bridge of the nose and the eyelid that connects the bridge of the nose to the throat, which can be used to drain excess tears. When you chew gum, the constant opening and closing of your mouth will allow the small holes to absorb tears into your mouth, which will reduce the tears in your eye sockets and of course stop you from crying.