Peeling the Onion

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Version 2

Tears? No problem!

Soak the Onion in water right after peeling.

This is an especially-convenient way to prevent tears. As soon as you remove the peel from the Onion (or both halves), transfer them to a bowl of water. Let them soak briefly. 15 minutes is generally plenty of time.

Note that this can make your onion taste a little more mild.

This works because the water draws out the sulfur-containing compounds that cause the stinging effect in your eyes.



This is an especially-convenient way to prevent tears. As soon as you remove the peel from the Onion (or both halves), transfer them to a bowl of water. Let them soak briefly. 15 minutes is generally plenty of time. Peel and cut the onion under running water.

This works the same way as the method written above. Be careful when working with the Knife...





This works the same way as the method written above. Be careful when working with the Knife... Freeze the Onion.

Believe it or not, simply getting the Onion cold can be enough to greatly reduce your tears. Before you peel the Onion, stick it in the freezer for about 15 minutes. After waiting, pull it out, peel it, and chop it immediately.

This is thought to work because chemical reactions generally proceed much more slowly at low temperatures. Cooling the Onion slows the rate at which the tear-causing compounds are released once it's cut open.



Believe it or not, simply getting the Onion cold can be enough to greatly reduce your tears. Before you peel the Onion, stick it in the freezer for about 15 minutes. After waiting, pull it out, peel it, and chop it immediately. Slice the onion next to an open flame.

The closer you can get the Onion to the flame while you're peeling and cutting, the better. However, be sure to stay at least an inch or two from it to avoid burning yourself or the Onion.

This trick works because the flame pulls in air as fuel while it burns. If it's next to the Onion, some of this air will be the air that contains the tear-causing chemicals.



The closer you can get the Onion to the flame while you're peeling and cutting, the better. However, be sure to stay at least an inch or two from it to avoid burning yourself or the Onion. Practice peeling and chopping quickly.

The more time a cut Onion is allowed to sit out, the more tear-causing chemicals it will be able to release into the air. If you can get quick enough, you can use this method to avoid tears even when none of the others are available.

This is a matter of long-term practice. Your skill will gradually increase over time as you continue to work with Onions. Don't push yourself to rush, especially when you're working with a Knife...

The more time a cut Onion is allowed to sit out, the more tear-causing chemicals it will be able to release into the air. If you can get quick enough, you can use this method to avoid tears even when none of the others are available.

Great! Now we are fully prepared.Peeling the Onion whole...Wash wash wash!Wash the Onion with water. This is optional, but it's better to do it.Trim off the top and root section of the Onion.Using your Knife, slice about a half an inch off the top and roots of the Onion and discard.Be careful when doing this! You may inflict damage on yourself if the Knife is handled poorly.Peel off the papery layers.Lift the skin at the top end of the Onion (The end you just trimmed) and carefully peel it down towards the bottom (root) end. If it breaks or tears, discard the torn-off piece of peel, grab another section, and start peeling again.Peeling and cutting the Onion for cooking...Trim off the top and root section of the Onion.Using your Knife, slice about a half an inch off the top and roots of the Onion and discard.Then, you want to cut the Onion in half.Peel off the papery layers.Lift the skin at the top end of the Onion (The end you just trimmed) and carefully peel it down towards the bottom (root) end. If it breaks or tears, discard the torn-off piece of peel, grab another section, and start peeling again. Repeat this for both halves.If you're having trouble getting the peel started, you can use the tip of your Knife to get it going.Here are a couple of options...