We’re not crying—you’re crying! We all know the feeling that arises every time we gather the chopping board and start dicing up onions. Like clockwork, we start tearing up like there’s no tomorrow, and it can be quite uncomfortable. But there are actually some interesting (and strange) ways you can avoid it. Here are some tips.
Wear Goggles
When in doubt, do the thing that seems most logical. You might look a bit funky to your family members or roommates, but at least you’ll be able to brag that you didn’t cry!
Cut Them Under Cold Water
If you cut your onions under a running stream of cold water, it’ll lower the temperature of this pesky vegetable. When this happens, it will reduce the lachrymatory effect of the onion, which is the chemical that makes us cry in the first place.
Cut Near a Fan
Another way to keep the lachrymatory effect of the onion to a minimum is by keeping a running fan nearby. This too will lower the onion’s temperature, and reduce your tears in the process.
Hold Some Water in Your Mouth
This is by the strangest tip of them all, but it actually works—sometimes. Hold a mouthful of water and close your mouth while chopping your onions, and you’ll oddly feel more refreshed and not have to cry.
