How to cut the onion without crying eyes
Did you know that onions give off an irritating gas, known as alinasa, that we breathe when cutting onions, and that is why we tend to "cry" when we cook them? This gas causes an irritation of the nasal mucous membranes, which is released when cutting the different layers of onion. Explained in a more technical way, we can say that at the moment of cutting it, cell breaks occur that allow the enzyme alinasa to come in contact with the trans - (+) - S- (1-propenyl) -L-cysteine sulfoxide, producing pyruvate , ammonia and syn-propanotial-S-oxide. The latter is the molecule responsible for tearing and ocular irritation.
About its causes, many experts believe that the propanotial exerts a tear-gas action, because when it comes into contact with water it decomposes, resulting in hydrogen sulphide, sulfuric acid and popanal, being probably the sulfuric acid that damages the conjunctival membrane, producing the annoying lachrymation.
Luckily, there are some natural tips and tricks that can help when it comes to cut the onion and keep the eyes from crying. We explain the simplest and most useful.
Natural tips to cut the onion and not cry
1. Chill the onions before cutting them
Before putting onions to cut, a traditional option when trying to neutralize a little their emanations is to cool them. To get it you can introduce the onions that you are going to cut in the fridge two before. The cold helps to reduce the emission of alinasa.
2. Use a good knife, a good board and proper technique
Since irritation and lachrymation occur when we cut the different layers of onion, which produce cell breaks in it, it is clear that the most important thing is to have a good knife, which is well sharpened. The table It is also fundamental in a way that does not apply to anyone. The best one is the one that is made of wood and as professional as possible.
On the other hand, the technique when cutting the onion is very important, so that it is best to keep separated from the knife to avoid being within the radius of scope of the different emissions that will come out of the onion when cutting it. It is useful place the cutting board forward, so that neither the arms nor the knife are perpendicular to the face, but advanced.
In Straight to the Palate the editor Pakus offers us his technique: first part the onion in half, peel it and pass it through cold water. Then put the flat part cut on the board and cut the onions quickly, decisively. Keep in mind that if you cut the onion quickly its emissions will be shorter, so it will not affect you as much.
3. Dip the knife edge in vinegar
A very popular natural remedy consists of dipping the edge of the knife that you are going to use to cut the onion in vinegar. To do this, it is enough to dip a cotton ball in vinegar and pass the knife through it. The truth is that it is an effective technique, since with the vinegar we manage to neutralize the propanotial.
However, it has a negative consequence: you will introduce some of the flavor of the vinegar into the onion, so that the final result may not like you that much.
4. Start the smoke extractor hood
It is another traditional remedy that many people make every day in their homes. Consists in turn on the smoke extractor hood, so that the different gases emitted by the onion are absorbed by it, before they irritate us and make us cry.
5. Dip the onions in water
Water helps to reduce and stop the emission of gas released by the onion. You just have to cut the onions in half and immerse them in water for a few minutes.
It only has one drawback: it will be somewhat more complicated and difficult to get a more precise cut.
Some benefits of onions
Do you know what the onions benefits more important? From a nutritional point of view, it is a food very rich in vitamins A, B, C and E, likewise the onion is composed of 91% water, 7% carbohydrates and 1% protein. Also, although you may not believe it, it is very rich in fiber.
On the other hand, it also provides the following healing properties:
- Fungicidal and bactericidal action.
- It helps lower blood sugar levels.
- It purifies the blood, eliminating the impurities present in it.
- Important diuretic function.
- It helps regulate intestinal transit, being interesting in case of constipation.
- It is an essential ingredient in chicken soup for flu, being beneficial in case of cold, flu and catarrh.
Images | Michael Derr / Leonardo Shinagawa / Jason Scragz This article is published for informational purposes only. It can not and should not replace the consultation with a Physician.We advise you to consult your Trusted Doctor.
