• Question: Why do onions make you cry?

    Asked by rachel1995 to Amy, Drew, Julia, Kimberley, Sara on 15 Jun 2011.
    • Photo: Julia Griffen

      Julia Griffen answered on 14 Jun 2011:

      Onions contain sulfur containing compounds … These are slightly volatile rise evaporate up…and when in contact with the water of our sensitive eyes reacts to form SULFURIC ACID and makes you cry…

      So the old wives tales of soaking onions and cutting onions with your tongue sticking out work… the water reacts to form sulfuric acid.

    • Photo: Kimberley Bryon

      Kimberley Bryon answered on 14 Jun 2011:

      Julia’s answer is exactly right. It is the sulfuric acid that forms when the sulfur reaches our eyes that makes us cry. I find peeling onions under running water stops this, try it next time you are cooking,

    • Photo: Drew Rae

      Drew Rae answered on 14 Jun 2011:

      Yep. You can cut them in a bowl of water too. Safety goggles give some protection – but they aren’t airtight and they make you look really silly cooking in them.

    • Photo: Amy MacQueen

      Amy MacQueen answered on 15 Jun 2011:

      Now something I totally don’t understand is why when you stick your wrists under cold water the stinging goes away? can anyone explain that to me??? 🙂

    • Photo: Sara Imari Walker

      Sara Imari Walker answered on 15 Jun 2011:

      Hi rachel!! I think the solutions been pretty much covered. I know I learned the lesson to wash before you cut the hard way =/

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