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  3 0 According to Wikipedia: As onions are sliced or eaten, cells are broken, allowing enzymes called alliinases to break down amino acid sulphoxides and generate sulphenic acids. A specific sulfenic acid, 1-propenesulfenic acid, formed when onions are cut, is rapidly rearranged by a second enzyme, called the lachrymatory factor synthase or LFS, giving syn-propanethial-S-oxide, a volatile gas known as the onion lachrymatory factor or LF.[21] The LF gas diffuses through the air and eventually reaches the eye, where it activates sensory neurons, creating a stinging sensation. Tear glands produce tears to dilute and flush out the irritant [22] (Chemicals that exhibit such an effect on the eyes are known as lachrymatory agents). Supplying ample water to the reaction while peeling onions prevents the gas from reaching the eyes. Eye irritation can, therefore, be avoided by cutting onions under running water or submerged in a basin of water.[22] Another way to reduce irritation is by chilling, or by not cutting off the root of the onion (or by doing it last), as the root of the onion has a higher concentration of enzymes.[23] Using a sharp blade to chop onions will limit the cell damage and the release of enzymes that drive the irritation response. Chilling or freezing onions prevents the enzymes from activating, limiting the amount of gas generated. Eye irritation can also be avoided by having a fan blow the gas away from the eyes as the onion is being cut. It is also possible to avoid eye irritation by wearing goggles or any eye protection that creates a seal around the eye. Contact lens wearers can experience less immediate irritation as a result of the slight protection afforded by the lenses themselves. It may[citation needed] also be that lens wearers are familiar with controlling the more reflexive actions of their eyes with regards to irritation, to prevent blinking, as this is an ability they require when manipulating the lenses. The amount of sulfenic acids and LF released, and the irritation effect, differs among Allium species. On January 31, 2008, the New Zealand Crop and Food institute created a strain of "no tears" onions by using gene-silencing biotechnology to prevent synthesis by the onions of the lachrymatory factor synthase enzyme.[24] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onion ___________________________________________________ So, in laymen's terms, when you cut the onion, you break the cells and release enzymes. Freeze them or chill them and use a sharp knife. And, if you're not cooking in front of people, wear some onion goggles if those other suggestions don't work. Julia Wayne answered in Cooking Tips & Tricks about 1 year ago | Report 3 comments by astro, Chef Victoria, and Julia Wayne… 0 0 Agreed, use a sharp knife and work quickly. Seriously, it seems like my eyes burn way less when I'm using my sharpy sharp-sharp knife. I don't know if it's because I'm breaking fewer cells, or, I can just slice onions faster and am not subject to them as long. Also, if you are needing minced onions, you can shred them with a box grater. That will get the job done nice and quick. astro commented about 1 year ago | Report 0 0 My sentiments exactly! Sharp knife, chilled onion and goggles if absolutely necessary. My mom has the goofiest picture of me when I was about 10 years old with swimming goggles on while slicing an onion...now they even make goggles especially for onion cutting! How 'bout that?! Chef Victoria commented about 1 year ago | Report 0 0 as far as your eyes hurting: do you wear contacts? if so, it could be that the act of swiping at your eyes to wipe away tears agitates them so that instead of their partially blocking the enzymes, you're allowing them to reach your eye directly and when the contact goes back into place, it traps the enzymes behind it, against your eye. When you lay down, you may be closing your eyes, thus trapping the enzymes even further. If you don't wear contacts, I dunno, man. Julia Wayne commented about 1 year ago | Report Enter your comment or ask a new question preview THIS IS A PREVIEW: Click "Post" to submit it or "Edit" to make changes. edit Please wait… This could take a minute if the tubes are clogged.

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  1 0 Onion Goggles. I've tried everything - they work great. They are like a combination of ski goggles and glasses. You can get them at Mrs. Cooks in U Village and probably other kitchen stores. gilby365 answered in Cooking Tips & Tricks about 1 year ago | Report 1 comment by marymc… 0 0 That's what works for me. They look ridiculous and bug-like, but they aren't uncomfortable (don't hurt my nose or make my face all sweaty) and they keep all the fumes out of my eyes. marymc commented about 1 year ago | Report Enter your comment or ask a new question preview THIS IS A PREVIEW: Click "Post" to submit it or "Edit" to make changes. edit Please wait… This could take a minute if the tubes are clogged.

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  0 0 Apparently if you hold something in your mouth it helps- like a spoon or something. Or stick yor tongue out when your cutting them. It seems to work a bit- worth a go I suppose Vicky Gibbs answered in Cooking Tips & Tricks about 1 year ago | Report Comment on this answer Enter your comment or ask a new question preview THIS IS A PREVIEW: Click "Post" to submit it or "Edit" to make changes. edit Please wait… This could take a minute if the tubes are clogged.

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  0 0 I wear contacts and don't have the onion crying problem at all. Get worse vision. RM answered in Cooking Tips & Tricks about 1 year ago | Report Comment on this answer Enter your comment or ask a new question preview THIS IS A PREVIEW: Click "Post" to submit it or "Edit" to make changes. edit Please wait… This could take a minute if the tubes are clogged.

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  0 0 I just put my huge sunglasses on when I chop onions. lilmonster206 answered in Cooking Tips & Tricks about 1 year ago | Report Comment on this answer Enter your comment or ask a new question preview THIS IS A PREVIEW: Click "Post" to submit it or "Edit" to make changes. edit Please wait… This could take a minute if the tubes are clogged.

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  0 0 For hours? That's MUCH more than most people suffer - perhaps you're very sensitive or allergic. If this is a problem that HAS to be remedied (i.e., avoidance or reduction not a solution), then have you tried benedryl or a different antihistamine or anti-inflammatory? You may find a formulation specifically suitable for eye-drop, other than the stand-by Visine. Obviously I'm not a doctor so if you check with your doctor, please write back with what worked. Good luck. Abdul Alhazred answered in Cooking Tips & Tricks about 1 year ago | Report Comment on this answer Enter your comment or ask a new question preview THIS IS A PREVIEW: Click "Post" to submit it or "Edit" to make changes. edit Please wait… This could take a minute if the tubes are clogged.

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  0 0 my trick is to not cut the root of the onion off. work from the top-side of the onion, leaving the root-side untouched and unpeeled. Josh Bomb answered in Cooking Tips & Tricks about 1 year ago | Report Comment on this answer Enter your comment or ask a new question preview THIS IS A PREVIEW: Click "Post" to submit it or "Edit" to make changes. edit Please wait… This could take a minute if the tubes are clogged.

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  0 0 breathe through your mouth archiepz answered in Cooking Tips & Tricks about 1 year ago | Report Comment on this answer Enter your comment or ask a new question preview THIS IS A PREVIEW: Click "Post" to submit it or "Edit" to make changes. edit Please wait… This could take a minute if the tubes are clogged.

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  0 0 Suck on a spoon. I have no idea why it works, but it does! Sheri LaVigne answered in Cooking Tips & Tricks about 1 year ago | Report Comment on this answer Enter your comment or ask a new question preview THIS IS A PREVIEW: Click "Post" to submit it or "Edit" to make changes. edit Please wait… This could take a minute if the tubes are clogged.

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  0 0 I cut onions near the range vent so it sucks away the tear-inducing gas. I suppose it's not the most energy efficient, but then I don't use onions every day. As for your eyes hurting for hours, that sounds awful! I'll be curious to see if anyone else can explain it. pickled ginger answered in Cooking Tips & Tricks about 1 year ago | Report Comment on this answer Enter your comment or ask a new question preview THIS IS A PREVIEW: Click "Post" to submit it or "Edit" to make changes. edit Please wait… This could take a minute if the tubes are clogged.

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  0 1 Leave the room... "Cagey" answered in Cooking Tips & Tricks about 1 year ago | Report Comment on this answer Enter your comment or ask a new question preview THIS IS A PREVIEW: Click "Post" to submit it or "Edit" to make changes. edit Please wait… This could take a minute if the tubes are clogged.

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