6 tips to cut onions without shedding tears

Onions are a cooking staple, but their ability to make us cry is often frustrating. The science behind it is the presence of sulfoxides, a natural irritant, in onions. While fresher onions are less likely to induce tears, distinguishing between them can be challenging. To address this issue, SSP tested various internet hacks to find effective methods for cutting onions.

Method #1: Chewing gum

One popular method suggests chewing mint gum to counteract the burning sensation caused by onions. By breathing through the mouth, the irritant is drawn away from the eyes. Our test indicated mixed results. While cutting the first half of an onion went reasonably well, the second half wasn't as successful. Though tears were minimal, this method failed to provide consistent relief.

Method #2: Chewing bread

Said to deliver a similar effect as gum, chewing on bread while cutting onions is believed to redirect the irritant through breathing. Regrettably, this technique proved ineffective in our trial. Painful symptoms persisted, leading us to conclude that combining meal prep with a snack isn't the solution to tear-free chopping.

Method #3: Cooling the onion

Through refrigerating the onion, we aimed to alleviate onion-induced tearing. Surprisingly, refrigerating an onion for 24 hours before chopping delivered promising results. Minor irritation towards the end aside, our test subject managed to dice the whole onion without tears. Despite onions typically not requiring refrigeration, this method proved successful in preventing blubbering.

Method #4: Keeping the onion stem intact

By leaving the stem intact while chopping onions, the high concentration of sulfur, responsible for tear-inducing fumes, purportedly remains contained. Although our test initially showed mild irritation upon cutting the onion, it eventually subsided. While there was some burning throughout the process, it never escalated to full crying, making this method moderately effective.

Method #5: Cutting the onion under cold water

In an unconventional approach, we placed the cutting board in a sink and directed a light stream of cold water onto it and the onion. Although somewhat challenging due to limited sink depth, this method proved tear-free. However, it was not the most practical solution, as some water collected on the board and washed away some onion pieces.

Method #6: Running your arm under cold water

Developed from personal experience, running your forearm under cold water was remarkably effective for a frequent onion cutter. Whenever the eyes hazardously teared up, dipping the forearm in cold water for about five seconds provided relief. This easy, albeit temporary method, spared the eyes from prolonged discomfort.