Tips and Tricks: The reason for burning and tears in the eyes while cutting onions is the allyl sulfide present in onions. This chemical goes into the air and forms sulfuric acid, which hurts the eyes. To avoid this, some easy home remedies can be adopted, which will reduce your problem

Onion adds a special taste to every Indian dish and also has many health benefits. But burning sensation and tears in the eyes while cutting onions is a common problem. The main reason for this is a chemical present in onions, called allyl sulfide. When onions are cut, this chemical is released into the air and turns into sulfuric acid. This acid pricks the delicate surface of our eyes, causing the eyes to burn and tears start flowing automatically. Tears protect the eyes by washing away this acid.

Although this is a natural reaction, sometimes this problem can be very disturbing. Therefore, it is important to know how we can avoid tears while cutting onions and reduce this problem.

Easy ways to avoid tears while cutting onions

Cut the onion by putting it in cold water

Before cutting onions, soak them in cold water for some time. Cold water reduces the effect of the chemicals present in onions, which reduces the problem of irritation and tears in the eyes.

chopping in the fridge

It also helps if you keep the onion in the fridge for 30 minutes before cutting it. In cold conditions, the chemicals in the onion become less active, which releases less gas while cutting.

pour cold water on the eyes

If your eyes start burning while cutting onions, immediately wash your eyes with cold water. This cools the surface of the eyes and reduces irritation.

put a wet cloth on your face

While cutting onions, keep a wet cloth on your face. This prevents the chemicals of onion from flying in the air and reaching your eyes directly and reduces the chances of tears.

Use of special knife is also beneficial

Nowadays, such knives are available in the market whose blades are made using special technology. These blades cause less damage to the chemicals in onions, due to which less gas is released while cutting and there is less irritation in the eyes. You can use such a knife, which makes cutting onions even easier and painless.