Why do onions always have to go making us cry? I mean, they’re just so insensitive and overpowering sometimes! Well, I hate to break it to you but it may not be the innocent little onion’s fault…rather it is probably your own poor set of knives to blame.

In a nutshell, onion cells contain a certain enzyme that is released when they are cut through. That enzyme then reacts with other substances in the onion such as amino acid sulfoxides, which causes the acid to form sulfenic acids that then develop into a gas. When combined with certain liquids, such as the tears in your eye, this gas produces a mild acid, thus, causing your eyes to sting and tear.

I always wondered why over the last couple years this never seems to happen to me. I figured maybe I just enjoyed chopping onions so much that the onion magically cut me some slack or that I was used to it. But then I found out that the sharper your knife is, the less likely you are to cry (not a bad motto to live by in general!). The enzymes in the onion cells are more likely to be released when they are crushed or broken, so if you are using a sharp knife it is more likely to just cleanly slice through the cells rather than crushing them!

If you don’t have  sharp knives and don’t want to shell out the cash to purchase some, here are some other tips on how to make sure those onions don’t go making you cry again:

1. Buy yourself a pair of Onion Goggles – you can find these at most stores that sell kitchen products. Sur La Table has a good pair for about $22. Just be aware that if you choose to go this route you will look like a total dumb-ass in front of your dinner guests.
2. Chill the onions before chopping – peel the onion and then chill that shiz for a bit in the freezer before cutting. This alters the compounds in the onion resulting in a reduced amount of gas that is released. This seems to be the most sensible and easiest solution.
3. Cut the onion under water – Cutting the onion under water or running a tap over the onion as you slice it can also help absorb the gas. But I mean, really, cutting the onion under water? What a pain in the ass.
4. Learn how to chop with your feet – The onion will be so far away from your eyes that the gas won’t bother you in the slightest!