It is difficult to chop the onion without crying. Every housewife knows this well, and especially every man who had to peel and chop onions. With prolonged cooking, tears literally begin to flow in streams. There is little pleasant in this. However, there is one proven and well-functioning method that will protect against the negative effects of the root crop.
Why are the tears flowing
Before fighting onion tears, it would be a good idea to understand why people generally cry when they start cutting onions. As strange as it may sound, this is because onions contain toxic substances. No, for a person specifically they are harmless (and even useful), but the fact remains. The fact is that onions contain a large amount of lacrimator - a tear substance based on sulfonic acid.
When a person begins to cut a root crop, acid is released in large quantities and mixes with proteins as a result of the destruction of molecules. When proteins and acids come into contact, a chemical reaction is triggered, the product of which is the release of tear vapors. Light gas quickly rises up and enters the mucous membrane of the human eyes, causing irritation and lacrimation. This natural mechanism is needed in onions to protect against pests, although it protects the root crop primarily from insects.
Simple method of protection
Now for the protection. Today, on the Internet, you can find many tips and tricks on how to protect yourself from the tear fumes of onions. Someone suggests using water, others even advise wearing a swimming mask. It is strange that people did not go further and do not offer to use a gas mask while peeling and slicing onions, or even better a set of OZK! In fact, everything is much simpler.
This may sound strange to some, but breathing can help. So, while slicing onions, it is enough to breathe correctly. And yoga has nothing to do with it. There are several things you need to do to protect your eyes. First, eliminate conversations while working with a bow. Second, close your mouth and keep it shut. Third, breathe deeply while working strictly through the nose. Due to this, most of the lacrimal substances will remain in the protective system of the nasopharynx. The eyes will be protected. It is difficult to take a word in this technique, so it is better to take an onion and try it yourself, it really works!
If you want to know even more interesting things, then you should definitely read 14 tips from experienced housewives to help "Upgrade" cooking skills.