Comments on: Morning Cup of Links: Famous Conjoined Twins

By: partiallyDeflected

partiallyDeflected — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 00:33:52 +0000

Submerge the onion in water while chopping – zero tears

By: Tdave

Tdave — Sat, 31 May 2008 06:31:30 +0000

R.I.P. Harvey Korman. Thank you for making me laugh. I really appreciated it.

By: Henna

Henna — Sat, 31 May 2008 00:34:57 +0000

I always dab my eyes and the inside of my wrists with cold water and leave a small stream of it running while I chop onions. The colder the better and I rarely cry when cutting them.

By: 8rustystaples

8rustystaples — Fri, 30 May 2008 18:49:21 +0000

Onions, when cut, release sulfurous compounds into the air. These mix with the water in your eyes to, in effect, produce sulfuric acid. Hence, the burning and crying.
Ways to avoid it:
Use a sharp knife; this will lessen the number of plant cells ruptured during the cutting process, which reduces the amount of chemicals released into the air.
Spritz a little vinegar on the cutting board. Of course, some people are sensitive to acetic acid, too.
Cut the onion near an open flame, such as a burner on a gas stove or a couple of candles. The match in the mouth sort of follows that rule but seems a wee bit dangerous.
Good old Alton Brown of “Good Eats” gives the whole low-down on onions in an episode. It’s an incredibly informative show.

By: Dawn

Dawn — Fri, 30 May 2008 14:08:19 +0000

My grandmother used to suggest putting a small piece of bread in your mouth when cutting onions, not sure of the logic behind that one…

By: Ira

Ira — Fri, 30 May 2008 13:51:41 +0000

I have a friend who wraps plastic wrap around her head to protect her eyes when she chops onions.

By: Miss Cellania

Miss Cellania — Fri, 30 May 2008 12:09:37 +0000

I know this much: There are more tear-causing chemicals in the root than anywhere else. Some recommend cutting the root off and rinsing the cut end. Some recommend leaving the root on until the last part of cutting. I’ve tried both, but I don’t know what’s best because onions don’t bother my eyes much at all.

By: pc

pc — Fri, 30 May 2008 08:40:14 +0000

Never heard of lighting a match while chopping onions, sounds dangerous. I have heard of putting a bowl of water nearby though, it’s supposed to attract the stuff that makes you cry? Anyone have any other tips to make onion-chopping easier on the eyes?