I didn't know this about onions
 

I read a tip today in a cookbook of mine that if you put an onion in the freezer for "a bit" before you slice or chop it, you won't cry. So I tried it tonight while making broccoli soup. I put my onion in the freezer for about 5 minutes while I washed the broccoli and cut off the tough parts of the stems. And it worked! No tears, nary a one!
Did you know that?

I had no idea! Thanks for the tip
Glad it works!

You don't even have to put it in the freezer.

I keep my onions the frig and they never bring me to tears! ....
.... just be sure you store them in a plastic bag, so that other things in the frig do not pick up the smell.

Onions haven't made me cry for a really long time. Maybe because I keep them in the refrigerator like QuiltE said.

I too don't have issues with onions because I store them in the fridge. My mom always did so I have.

I hadn't heard about this tip either. Very interesting.

I knew about the freezer tip but what really surprises me is that several of you store your onions in the fridge....have never heard of that! What is the advantage?

Ditto:thumbup:

Guess my onions will be stored in the veggie drawer from now on--before--I cut them.
Thank you for the tip.

I don't store my onions in the fridge..they're in a basket on a shelf. As far as eyes tearing...I usually use one of those Vidalia onion choppers from bed, bath and beyond--- chops other things besides onions-- so it's a quick slam and done. But it seems onions are not generally as "strong" as they used to be, or I'm getting immune.....

Great to know as I'll be cutting up bunches of onions to put into the freezer for soups this winter. Right now they're braided and hanging in the back garage till I have time..........usually around January or whenever it gets too cold to have them out in the garage.........its insulated but not heated.

I also heard if you cut off the root end 1st you won't cry either. I rarely have problems with tears while I'm cutting all the onions, usually a 4 hrs session.

I store mine in the frig but they still make me cry. Maybe because I mostly use white onions and they tend to be more potent?

I store potatoes and onions at room temperature, because in the refrigerator, the starches are converted to sugar. When this happens to onions, they tend to become soggy, causing them to spoil faster. I have not cried for years when chopping onions. I slice my onion in half, and at the bottom where the roots once grew, is a hardened spot. I cut a small V here in each half and remove it before chopping the onion. This arrest the gas that causes tears. I learned this tip from a chef.

I think we already said it ...... No Tears!! :)

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Interesting .... I have lost fewer potatoes and onions since I started storing them in the frig, than before. And sometimes they stay in the frig for a very long time!

Of note, perhaps the difference in where we store them when not in the frig and the temperatures they endure may make a difference re spoilage. I know many can keep them in the garage, but here, it is too hot in the summer, and too cold in the winter, both resulting in big losses. Otherwise, there is no where appropriate in my home for them to sit in wait of mutilation! :)

I store mine in the fridge, they seem to last longer. I was always told the root end was smellier, so I start cutting from the top if I only need part of the onion.

I can't tell the difference in taste from chop my own or buy frozen chopped if the onions are going to be cooked. I buy the frozen chopped for all cooking onions.

I have a large garden and lots of onions. I store them in closed brown paper bags in the bottom shelf of our extra refrigerator in the basement and they keep until the next gardening year.

Food like that needs to be in a fridge in FL. I can just see bugs, roaches and everything else, dining on potatoes and onions if they were our for all the minions to taste. It's over 100 degrees in our garage sometimes, nope, don't think they would last long there.

I find that the "sweet onions" that I find at the store do not make me cry. Especially the Maui, Wala Wala, and the ones from the south...that I can't remember the name of right now. They are only available during a certain time of the year.

If you have an onion that is too strong, just soak it overnight in milk. Works.

I haven't cried cutting an onion in a long time and mine are set on the counter in a small bin. I usually buy Vidalia and was told for years the flatter looking the onion the sweeter. I just made a cucumber and onion salad and hubby actually liked it for someone not being an onion fan. It's shallots or Vidalia (short/flat) for me. I also only buy them as I need them since it's just 2 of us.

I have heard this but never tried it...Now I will...

Also, once onion is cut it will absorb viruses and bacteria. Should never eat an onion that was cut into and stored. Some people cut one in half and leave it open on the shelf to soak out the diseases during the winter.

They no longer move me to tears either. Perhaps they've simply lost their emotional impact.

James