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Home & KitchenChapter 3 of 5

Why Onions Make You Cry (and How to Stop It)

Tricks That Really Help

A person chopping an onion with a sharp knife on a cutting board next to an open window
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There are a few simple tricks that can reduce the tears.

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Use a sharp knife. A sharp blade cuts cleanly, damaging fewer cells, so less gas is released.

Chill the onion in the fridge for 15 to 30 minutes before cutting. Cold slows the chemical reaction.

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Cut the root end last. The root area has a high concentration of the compounds that cause tears.

Continue reading: Chapter 4 of 5 →