Learning how to chop an onion is an important technique for young and old cooks to learn. However it often makes people cry - literally - due to the presence of sulfenic acid once an onion has been sliced open. Aside from wearing goggles when cutting an onion, other theories as to how you can stop the tears include holding a wooden spoon in your mouth or lighting a candle nearby.
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How to chop an onion
Method
1
Cut the top and bottom off the onion with a sharp knife
2
Cut in half through the root. Then remove the outer layer of skin
3
Lay the onion of the chopping board, cut-side down
4
Make 4-5 vertical cuts into the onion, but not through the root
5
Holding the onion together, cut widthways across the cuts from step 4
6
When you have reached the root, turn the rest of the onion flat on the board and finish slicing
