This was a myth that I had been intending to explore ever since I visited Eastgate backpackers hostel when cycling from Lands End to John O’Groats in the summer of 06.

Armed with three strong onions, I carefully placed a peice of wrigleys extra gum in my mouth and began to chew. I proceeded to peel the onions, and lo and behold no tears. That was the myth proven.

However, most people do not cry when peeling onions – it is the cutting that causes the pain. So I started to cut, and cut, and cut. My eyes started watering, and my nose started to run. But amazingly, my eyes were not stinging.

I have tried a number of techniques in the past to avoid looking teary eyed when slaving over the chopping board, including wearing my scuba gear (which also worked) but I think chewing gum must be the easiest, although after a while your eyes do water and you start to strugle to see where the onion ends and your fingers start.

It worked for me I suggest you try it. Now it is time to eat the chilli con carne that I was making. Yum.

Three onions were harmed in the making of this blog article.

The writer apologises for any distress caused.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, November 21st, 2006 at 10:00 am and is filed under General. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.