How To Chop An Onion Without Crying Why Onions Make You Cry

Chop an onion and cry – these 2 things go hand in hand, right?

It never fails, as soon as I start chopping an onion – on comes the tears. Then comes my kids screaming “Mommy, why are you crying!”

how to cut an onion without crying woman cutting onions no tears

Chop an Onion Without Crying

What if we could prevent onion tears and why do we cry when we chop an onion? Let’s look at solutions as well as the why on how these

Onion Goggles

Looking to find out how to chop an onion without the tears? Introducing the onion glasses.

google for cutting onions without crying — *onion goggles – prevent crying when you chop an onion*

These protective goggles feature a soft foam seal inside the frame to keep out eye-stinging vapors when chopping onions, shallots, leeks, scallions and hot peppers.

If you’ve tried rinsing onions under cold water, then you know the vapor still permeates the air and irritates your eyes.

With these onion goggles, the anti-fog lenses offer maximum clarity and eye protection. Polycarbonate, foam and plastic

chop an onion without crying — Chop an onion without crying with onion goggles

Tear free chopping, mincing, dicing and slicing
Comfortable foam seal protects eyes from irritating onion vapors
Anti-fog lenses offer maximum clarity and eye protection
Unisex design fits most face shapes but won’t fit over eyeglasses
Storage case keeps goggles clean

And Onion Goggles even come in pink! Available at Amazon for $19.95.

These would make a fun gift for a chef, or for the person who has everything (and cooks).

Why Do You Cry When Cutting Onions?

Ever wonder why you cry when you cut an onion? Also, isn’t it weird how some onions don’t cause near as many tears?

why do you cry when cutting an onion — *Learn why you cry when you chop an onion*

Let’s look at why you cry when you cut onions, from How Stuff Works:

Unless you’re a chef with a freshly broken heart, the tears you shed when chopping onions aren’t emotional ones. That leaves two other categories of tears: basal and reflexive. Since basal tears are the ones that hang around our eyes and eyelids to act as a lubricant, that leaves us with reflex tears.

Lachrymal Glands

The lachrymal glands above the eyelids regulate the release of tears. In the case of reflex crying, an external irritant, such as dust or smoke, triggers nerve endings in the cornea to communicate with the brain stem.

The brain registers the irritation in the eye then alerts the lachrymal gland to stimulate tear production to flush away the invader.

Chopping Onions

If we’re chopping onions a few feet away from our eyes, what’s causing this weepy reaction? The answer begins in the soil. Onions are part of the plant genus Allium, along with garlic, chives, leeks and about 400 other cousins.

These vegetables absorb sulfur in the earth, which helps form a class of volatile organic molecules called amino acid sulfoxides. These sulfoxides are the real tear-jerkers when onions go under the knife.

Fascinating, right?