Are onions making you cry?

Soaking Onions in Cold Water: The Secret to Tame Their Pungency

If you’ve ever experienced tears streaming down your face while chopping onions, you’re not alone. Chopping onions can be an emotional experience – literally! The pungent smell and the sting in your eyes are enough to make you think twice about using them in your recipes. But don’t fret, we have a simple and effective tip to help you avoid the “onion cry” and reduce their pungency: soaking onions in cold water before chopping. Let’s dive into the details of this simple yet game-changing technique.

The Science Behind Onion Pungency:

Onions contain sulfur compounds called syn-propanethial-S-oxide, which are released when you cut into them. These compounds mix with the natural moisture in your eyes, creating a mild sulfuric acid that irritates the eyes and causes you to tear up.

By soaking the onions in cold water for a few minutes before chopping, you can significantly reduce their pungency. Here’s how it works:

1. The cold water neutralizes some of the sulfur compounds and dilutes the concentration of syn-propanethial-S-oxide. This reduces the amount of irritation to your eyes and nose when you cut the onions.
2. The water also washes away some of the onion’s natural sugars, which contribute to its pungency. This results in a milder flavor, which can be particularly helpful if you’re using raw onions in salads or other dishes where their strong taste might be overpowering.

Step-by-Step Guide to Soaking Onions:

1. Start by peeling the outer skin from the onions.
2. Fill a large bowl with cold water. Make sure it’s big enough to accommodate all the onions you plan to chop.
3. Submerge the peeled onions in the cold water, ensuring they are completely covered.
4. Let the onions soak for at least 10 minutes. If you’re dealing with particularly potent onions or want an even milder flavor, soak them for up to 30 minutes.
5. Remove the onions from the water and pat them dry with a clean towel or paper towel.
6. Proceed to chop the onions as desired, enjoying a significantly reduced pungency and minimal eye irritation.

In conclusion

This simple tip of soaking onions in cold water is a lifesaver when it comes to taming their pungency and minimizing the tear-jerking experience of chopping them. Not only does it make the process more enjoyable, but it also results in a milder flavor that can be a real boon in certain recipes. Give it a try the next time you’re in the kitchen, and say goodbye to those onion-induced tears!

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