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No More Tears! How to Avoid Crying While You Chop Onions

Say Goodbye to Crying When Chopping Onions

By , About.com Guide

Onions add such flavor to foods, but chopping them will bring you to tears, literally. Chopping onions release a chemical irritant that affects a gland in our eyes, causing them to tear up.

Before you throw in the towel and start buying expensive pre-chopped onions from the market try these tips to keep you tear free:

  • Refrigerate the onion 30 minutes prior to chopping.
  • When chopping, don't cut the root off. The root contains the most of the chemical that causes eye irritation.
  • Wear protective eye gear.
  • Chew on a piece on white bread while chopping.
  • Use food processor to chop your onions.
  • Do not use a blunt knife to chop onions.
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