Onions have long been a staple in kitchens around the world, known for their unique flavor and the tendency to make cooks cry. If you've ever wondered why onions make you cry, it comes down to the chemistry of this vegetable. Onions contain sulfur compounds that, when released, irritate your eyes and cause tears.
When you cut into an onion, you break open its cells, releasing an enzyme called alliinase. This enzyme reacts with sulfur compounds to produce sulfenic acids, which quickly rearrange into a volatile sulfur compound known as syn-propanethial-S-oxide. This compound is the primary irritant responsible for making your eyes water.
Syn-propanethial-S-oxide is released into the air, where it comes into contact with your eyes. Upon contact, it dissolves in the moisture of your eyes, forming mild sulfuric acid. This acid irritates the sensory nerves in your eyes, triggering a defensive response. Your lacrimal glands produce tears to dilute and wash away the offending substance.
Onions have a higher concentration of syn-propanethial-S-oxide precursors compared to other members of the allium family, such as garlic, leeks, and chives. This is why onions are particularly notorious for causing tears.
Over the years, cooks have devised numerous strategies to combat onion-induced tears. Some of the most popular methods include refrigerating onions before cutting them, using a sharp knife, cutting onions under running water or in a bowl of water, cutting onions near an open window or using a fan to blow away the irritants, and wearing goggles to create a barrier between your eyes and the sulfuric compounds.
While these traditional methods can mitigate the effects of onion tears, they are not foolproof. Enter the Laughing Onion—a groundbreaking innovation in the culinary world. The Laughing Onion is a specially bred variety of onion that is guaranteed to be tear-free. By reducing the concentration of syn-propanethial-S-oxide precursors, the Laughing Onion allows you to chop, dice, and slice without the watery eyes and discomfort.
You can explore this revolutionary product and learn more about its benefits at The Laughing Onion.