Why Do Onions Make You Cry?
I was scrolling on my phone yesterday until I saw a recipe for pickled onions. The vibrant, purple color caught my eye; I was intrigued. I grabbed the only red onion in my fridge and got to chopping. I love onions, but I hate chopping them. My eyes fill with tears as the fumes bombard all my senses. Why does this innocent root-vegetable make me cry?
Onions are vegetables that are grown underground in sulfur-filled dirt. The sulfur mixes with the growing onion to create amino acid sulfoxides. When an onion is cut, the sulfoxides and onion enzymes are released to create sun-propanethial-S-oxide. This is the gas that causes you to shed tears. Eyes are extremely sensitive. According to Robert H. Rosa Jr, “Your eyes react to the gas that is formed, and your eyes try to flush it out with tears.” Some people have less sensitive eyes that can handle the fumes. Different types of onions produce fewer tears. White, yellow, and red onions all have a higher concentration of the onion enzyme, while sweet onions, green onions, and scallions have fewer enzymes.
Well, how do I not cry? Personally, I wear goggles. If you do not want to be made fun of by your family members, I do not suggest picking that option. Putting your onion in the fridge or a bowl of cold water has been proven to decrease the number of fumes. Using a very sharp knife and not cutting the root has helped me not shed tears. However, there is always a chance for you to cry, so you may want a couple of tissues handy the next time you are cutting onions.
Pickled Onion Recipe (this is not my personal recipe, I can not find the original one)
1 red onion
1/2 cup white vinegar
1 cup of warm water
1/2 tbsp white sugar OR 1 tbsp maple syrup
a couple of cracks of your favorite salt
Finely chop the red onion. Stuff red onion in a large mason jar. Add in the rest of the ingredients, then shake. Place in the fridge for at least an hour before serving. Can last around a month.
cites:
The nitty-gritty behind how onions make you cry -- ScienceDaily
