Onion peeling tips: Avoid tears with these simple tricks

Peeling an onion, although seemingly simple, can prove to be more difficult than it seems. For many of us, it's synonymous with uncontrollable crying that starts immediately after cutting this humble vegetable. It often ends not only with tears but also with red, stinging eyes.

So why go through the trouble? Primarily because onions add a unique flavour to dishes, and peeling them without tears is possible! You just need to use a few tried-and-tested methods to make the process easier.

Have you ever wondered why onions make you cry? The explanation is more complex than it seems. When you cut an onion, an enzyme called alliinase is released, which combines with other substances to create an irritating gas. When this gas gets to our eyes, the mucous membrane starts producing tears to protect against it.

One could say that onions naturally defend themselves from being eaten. Fortunately, there are many ways to effectively bypass this defence and enjoy a delicious dish without reaching for tissues.

A proven method for peeling onions and avoiding tears is to cut the onion in half, trim the ends, and hit it with your fist. The onion skins will come off on their own.

Another method is to peel the onion from the side where the green shoots grow. This is easier than peeling from the root side.

You already know how to quickly peel an onion, but do you know how to slice it without crying? Before you start slicing the onion, ensure it's properly prepared. The first step should be cooling the onion. Just put it in the freezer for a few minutes. The low temperature slows down the chemical reactions, reducing the amount of irritating gas released.

The choice of cutting tools is also important. A sharp knife is essential, as it minimizes onion crushing and, consequently, the amount of irritating substances released. Each cut with the knife must be precise and decisive, without unnecessarily pressing the onion against the cutting board.

When slicing, it's best to start from the side of the onion without the root. This is the part of the vegetable with the most compounds that cause tearing. Instead of cutting the onion in half, try peeling and slicing it into strips or cubes from the green shoot side to help minimize eye irritation.

You can also try soaking the onion in water before slicing, which helps reduce the intensity of the irritating fumes. Another approach is to rub the cutting board with lemon juice—the citric acid neutralizes the substances that cause tears.