How to Avoid Crying When Chopping Onions
I found this on Life Hacker. I haven't tried it yet, but will next time I use an onion. John Daum always told me to whistle, but I can't so I usually just try to whistle unsuccessfully. I also have tried goggles, but that isn't fool proof.Using a knife, cut a cone out of the bottom of the onion (where the roots come out). The diameter of this cone should be about a third of the diameter of the onion, and about 1/3 deep. Take this piece and throw it away (don't put it down the disposal!). This piece contains the part/gland that makes baby Jesus and everyone else in the room cry when you're chopping it up. Once you've gotten that piece out, chop off the top, peel, and slice the onion.
You know your cone is too small if it doesn't work, because you've cut into that teargas grenade.
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Anyway, I clearly didn't go deep enough - but I don't want to waste the onion. It's back to goggles for me.
Lachrymatory-factor synthase is released into the air when we cut an onions. The toxins are in the base of the onion--if you cut around it, they won't be released, et voila!
If you still can't fight back the tears, stick a piece of white bread in your mouth. It's the starch from the gluten in the process of the......
Um.
Uhhh.
I don't actually know what it is.
But I do know it works.
Know what else works? Put a toothpick in your mouth! Weird.
Also? Gum. Chew it vigorously when you chop.