How to not cry when cutting onions

Trust us, we don't like crying from onions either. In fact, when we host events where an onion must be diced, we have to ensure we don't start crying on camera. So you may be wondering, what's our secret...

We have heard of many tips and tricks, but 2 we can recommend work most every time are:

Sharp Knives

Yea, yea, yea, we know...you'll hear every professional chef emphasize the importance of sharp knives. But truly, this is the surefire way to prevent tears streaming down your face when slicing and dicing.

The reason being is that every time your knife makes contact with an onion, you are breaking down cell walls, which in turn spews out propanethial S-oxide - a lachrymatory agent (which makes you cry).

Dull knives break down more cell walls, whereas a sharp knife will break down less, resulting in a "clean cut". So to prevent an abundance of propanethial S-oxide from being released, you'll want to break down less cell walls by using a sharper knife.

Wet Paper Towel Method

Now, if you want to beat the science behind those tears, there is another option (or shortcut).

Since propanethial S-oxide does gravitate to things that are wet, like your eyes, you can simply take a wet paper towel and place it on or next to your cutting board to deter it from those precious eyes. Works like a charm!