So good it’ll make you cry: another tip to stop the onion sob-fest

At FavorFlav, we chop all sorts of things: garlic, tequila, herbs and, of course, loads and loads of onions for all those delicious curries, stews and salads… It’s just a shame that you so often end up standing there sobbing over your kitchen counter!

That’s why we love tips for keeping those tears at bay. Holding a sip of water in your mouth, for example (just make sure nobody makes you laugh), or putting on swimming goggles — both have been mentioned before — and here’s the latest addition to the list:

Tip to stop the onion sob-fest

Tie a damp cloth loosely around the front of your neck!

Step 1

First of all, you should always work with a good sharp knife. The duller (and more dangerous) your knife, the more cells you smash in the onion, and the more of the sharp, sulphurous substance that causes the tears is released.

Wet Tork

Tying a damp cloth around your neck beforehand can help, says chef Vincent Olivieri. It can also be made of kitchen paper, but make sure you use a sturdy, moisture-retaining brand such as Tork — a brand often used in the hospitality industry. So “wet Tork” isn’t a swear word, but a tip that is also given for placing under your chopping board to prevent it from sliding!

That means lots of cooking in your swimming trunks or swimsuit, but perhaps that’s actually a fun added bonus…

Also read:

• Onion powder instead of onion — does that work?
• Recipe: French onion mac ‘n’ cheese
• The ultimate onion guide