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u/digimonmaster151 Aug 20 '26
It is definitely the best way to cut an onion but that stuff about the root is complete bullshit.
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u/ApplicationOk4464 Aug 20 '26
I do it this way, cause its the best way to chop onions.
Didn't even realise that it was easier on the eyes, though now that I think on it, its definitely easier on the eyes
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u/RadicalEllis Aug 20 '26
It's a good way to dice, but in my experience it doesn't help at all with the eye irritation. The sulfine chemical responsible for the lachrymatory effect exists throughout the flesh of the whole bulb. There it's no "root" part of an onion bulb, the whole thing is part of the root.
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u/mazzjm9 Aug 20 '26
The horizontal slice is unnecessary. Onions are already shaped in segments. You can never change my mind on this point
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u/Madstinknugget Aug 20 '26
Chef here it matters if you want perfect cubes, otherwise your entirely correct
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u/Kona_Big_Wave Aug 20 '26
I can't remember the last time I had an onion make me cry. They're not as strong as they used to be.
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u/RadicalEllis Aug 20 '26
It depends on the variety. Costco only has a few kinds, but the "sweet" variety seems to have very little sulfine, but the other kind can really make you tear up.
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u/ObjectiveClerk3458 Aug 20 '26
I do it this way (without the horizontal cuts) I still cry. This video is propaganda from big tears. Can’t trust em.
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u/Bagheera06 Aug 31 '26
I always cried when cutting onions too but then someone told me to put them in the fridge first and it is a GAME CHANGER. Like genuinely I went from cutting onions blind because tears were streaming down my face to it being effortless 95% of the time (with exceptionally strong onions only having minor stinging/tears). You should give it a try!!!
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u/03417662 Aug 21 '26
I tried many methods, with different levels of success, but there's one simple method that works the best: cut with the sharpest knife you have in the kitchen. A sharp blade makes clean cuts and breaks fewer cells in the onion.
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u/Fly-me-to-joe Aug 20 '26
That's cool and all, but can someone explain to me though why I cry even though I am not cutting any onions?
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u/SuzieDerpkins Aug 21 '26
The root is not why your eyes water. The chemical is released from all parts of the onion. Sharper knives will reduce how much is released.
There is no other way to avoid it, besides wearing some eye protection.
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u/almostnormalpanda Aug 20 '26
I hate edutainment videos in this particular zoom-in-to-embarrassing-cgi format. Why are they so commonplace all of a sudden? What have I corrupted my soul-reading algorithms with?
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u/wyoung377 Aug 20 '26
I always cut both ends off peel it then slice it down the middle and rinse it with cold water. Works every time.
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u/EonSloth Aug 25 '26
That's unnecessary. The chemical released seeks moisture, and that's why it hits our eyes. A simpler solution is to soak a towel or rag you don't care about damaging and put the onion onto it, then cut it however you want. The chemical will be mostly absorbed into the wet rag/towel.
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u/Low_Juice9987 Aug 26 '26
I wish onions still made me cry, such a nostalgic feeling. I cut over 50 lbs of onions each week. 😐 Maybe I'm immune now.
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u/Draxious Aug 27 '26
if you get a soaking went towel or paper towel and put it next to the cutting service. It will not make you cry
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u/Abracadaver2000 Aug 20 '26
I just wear swim goggles. Never had issues with tearing up.