Brilio.net - Onions are one of the cooking ingredients that are almost always present in various menus. Having a distinctive aroma and sweet taste after being cooked, onions can enhance the taste of almost every dish. It is no wonder that many people make onions a mandatory ingredient in the kitchen , both for stir-fries, soups, and grilled dishes.
However, behind its deliciousness, there is one challenge that many people often face when processing onions, namely the eyes feel sore when slicing the food ingredient. Slicing onions can be quite a torturous experience for many people. The natural chemical released when onions are cut, namely syn-Propanethial-S-oxide, is the main cause of sore and watery eyes. This substance evaporates and reacts with the water in our eyes, forming sulfuric acid that makes the eyes feel like they are burning.
Various tricks have been tried to reduce the stinging effect, from slicing onions under running water, using wet wipes, to wearing protective glasses. In some cases, these tricks are very effective. But on the other hand, many people admit that these tricks still make onions release substances that make the eyes sting.
Instead, you can use a trick shared by Instagram user @rumah.kamali. Through one of the videos uploaded, he admitted to only using one kitchen ingredient when slicing onions. Well, this kitchen ingredient can make your eyes not sting, you know.
As reported by BrilioFood from Instagram @rumah.kamali on Thursday (11/14), the kitchen ingredient in question is cooking oil. So, this cooking oil will be used to coat the knife used to cut onions. That way, the substance that makes the eyes sting can be retained and does not evaporate in the air.
photo: Instagram/@rumah.kamali
But before slicing, make sure the onions have been put in the refrigerator first. It doesn't need to be too long, just store them in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. Cold temperatures can slow down the chemical reactions that occur when onions are cut. At low temperatures, the enzymes responsible for breaking down sulfur compounds in onions work slower, so the amount of syn-Propanethial-S-oxide released is less.
photo: Instagram/@rumah.kamali
While waiting, sharpen the knife until it is really sharp. Then, spread it with cooking oil evenly. After that, peel the onion and slice it as usual with the shape you like. That way, the process will be easier and won't make your eyes sore.
photo: Instagram/@rumah.kamali
Basically, coating the knife with cooking oil before slicing onions can help reduce the amount of syn-Propanethial-S-oxide that evaporates into the air. Cooking oil creates a thin layer on the surface of the knife that inhibits direct interaction between enzymes and sulfur compounds in onions. As a result, less irritants are released and reach our eyes. In addition, the oil layer also makes slicing onions smoother and faster.
Having been watched more than 22 thousand times, this video about onion slicing tricks has immediately attracted the attention of netizens. Many other Instagram users also gave direct responses through the comments column. Most even admitted that the trick was very useful to imitate.
"This is very useful.. thank you, Bukam *immediately saves," said Instagram @mellrisaoktari.
"Open it, add 1, cut the onion while biting the bread, you won't cry," said Instagram @anastasialinna.
"Very useful, isn't it, thanks," wrote aukn Instagram @rumah.gizee.
"Wow, thanks for the tips," commented the Instagram account @cha.living.
"Aaaah, I have to try this, maaci, thanks for the tips," said Instagram @_rumahantik.