8 Tips to Cut Shallots Without Pain and Tears

Kapanlagi.com - Tips for cutting shallots without pain is certainly the best solution when cooking in the kitchen. Because, many people are reluctant or even avoid slicing shallots. The burning sensation and tears can cause discomfort. However, apparently this cannot be avoided because shallots are one of the most commonly used spices.

So, have you ever wondered why cutting shallots makes your eyes burn and water like crying? It is known that this is because the compounds in shallots will react with a specific enzyme to produce sulfenic acid. This sulfenic acid then stimulates another compound, propanethiol S-oxide, to evaporate, causing the eyes to burn and tear.

Well, so that cutting shallots no longer requires a struggle, you can overcome it with the following methods to help you avoid burning eyes. Curious about how to do it? Let's just take a look at the complete review.

1. Use a Sharp Knife

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The first tip to cut shallots without pain is to use a sharp knife. Yes, a sharp knife actually affects the spicy effect of shallots on the eyes. When you choose a dull knife, it will only create more frequent friction on the shallots.

This will cause the substances inside it to more frequently come into contact with the eyes. That's why using a sharp knife is a solution when cutting shallots.

2. Use Vinegar Spray

To avoid stinging eyes when cutting red onions, you can overcome it by using vinegar spray. The method is quite easy, you can spray the vinegar solution onto the cutting board that you use to cut the red onions. The vinegar solution is believed to stop the sulfur reaction from the onions, so it doesn't make you cry when cutting them.

3. Soak the Onions in Ice Water

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Furthermore, the tip to cut red onions without causing irritation is to soak the onions in ice water first. Before soaking them in ice water, make sure to peel and clean the red onions thoroughly.

After that, soak the red onions for 5 minutes. Then you can cut them as usual.

4. Let the Onion Tip Untrimmed

Furthermore, the tip to cut shallots is to avoid cutting the onion tip. Alternatively, another way you can do is to cut only the end part of the onion. Because, the tip of the shallot contains more substances that cause stinging and crying eyes.

5. Use a Fan When Slicing Shallots

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Although it sounds strange, this method is proven effective in eliminating the stinging sensation caused by shallots. The stinging sensation is also due to the sulfur contained in shallots that indeed causes eye irritation. So, it is advisable, when cutting shallots, to use a fan to help repel the sulfur substance.

6. Use Salt

Next, the way to overcome stinging eyes when cutting shallots is by using salt. Salt can be useful to avoid substances that cause stinging eyes. To use it, you simply sprinkle salt on the cutting board that you will use to cut shallots.

7. Freeze Onions First

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Another way you can do to avoid stinging eyes when cutting onions is by storing the shallots in the freezer for a while before cutting. Cooling the shallots before cutting can slow down the chemical reaction released when the onions are cut, thus minimizing the stinging sensation in the eyes.

8. Cutting Onions Under Running Water

To avoid stinging eyes when cutting shallots, you can use running water. The way to do it is by peeling and cutting shallots under running water to eliminate the irritating substance that causes stinging eyes.

9. How to Cut Onions Without Crying

-First, start by cutting the top part of the shallot and leave the root to be cut last.

-Then, cut the middle part of the shallot and adjust its thickness. This is done to avoid the release of a large amount of gas, which causes tears.

-After that, cut the root and start a new cut above the root.

-Before slicing the shallot, place the cut shallots in a container and keep them away from the eyes.

-You can also light a candle while cutting shallots. The purpose is for the heat from the candle flame to burn sulfur compounds, reducing the gas that enters the eyes.

Those are a series of ways to cut shallots without stinging and crying. Good luck and hope it's useful.

(kpl/dtm)