They’re papery, smelly and send our recipe developer into floods of tears every time she cooks them (sorry, Meg!).
But despite the fact that they’re not mascara-friendly, onions still have to be one of our all-time favourite foods. They’re cheap as chips and add a bucketload of flavour to everything.
Love them as much as we do? Here are five fast facts to really know your onions (including how to stop them from making you cry and how they can be FODMAP-friendly).
1. Onion gases mix with your tears to form sulfuric acid.
When you slice open an onion, it almost immediately releases gases that react with the moisture in your eyes and produce sulfuric acids. While it’s totally harmless, it does sting – causing tear glands to flush out the offending irritant. Sob!
2. And only a handful of techniques can stop you from crying.
Among the tried and tested hacks, only a few are known to stop the tears (and even those are contested). Try freezing the onion, cutting under a vent or fan to dispel the gases, put a chunk of bread in your mouth or wear goggles (really!). Oh, and remember to use a sharp knife, as this will cut down your prep time.
3. The stinkier the onion, the better.
We all love the smell of onions cooking, but did you know that’s what makes them healthy? The stinky part of the onion comes from flavonoids, a kind of antioxidant which helps prevent cell damage and soothe inflammation. Is it any wonder we eat onions when we’re ill?
4. It’s actually good to eat onion skin.
Onion skins contain a compound called quercetin, which may help alleviate high blood pressure. But don’t go eating your onions whole like some former Australian prime ministers – they’re best added to stocks for flavour.
5. Onions can upset your stomach – but you can get around it.
If you’ve ever experienced gut issues after eating onions, you’re not alone. Onions are one of the highest FODMAP foods, and many people can’t digest them properly. But don’t worry – a high-quality onion-infused olive oil can give you the flavour you want without the digestive symptoms. Because life’s too short to not eat onions, right?!
Okay, we want to know your tips – how do YOU stop onions from making you cry?
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