Onions: the only ingredient that can emotionally destroy you before dinner even starts.
Science says it’s not you, it’s a microscopic betrayal. The moment you slice into an onion, you trigger a chemical chain reaction that releases an invisible gas (syn-propanethial-S-oxide) specifically designed to make it look like you’re in emotional distress. It floats into your eyes and your nerves hit the panic button.
Your body, being dramatic but helpful, floods your eyes with tears to flush the irritant out, which only makes you look even more like you just watched the saddest movie ever, starring a vegetable.
And the funniest and most unfortunate thing in all this? The same compounds that make you sob are also what make onions taste amazing. So congratulations, you’re crying for flavor.
Want to fight back? Chill the onion, cook it fast, or embrace your inner lab tech and wear goggles. Otherwise, accept your role in this culinary tragedy.