The tearless onions are called “Sunions”. It is to be sold in United Kingdom. These onions were produced by cross breeding onion varieties that are less pungent.

About Sunions

The Sunions are sweet onions. They are to be sold in the Waitrose supermarkets of UK. They are ideal for those who have children or sensitive eyes. Sunions can be used in salads and also for cooking. These onions sold in UK are grow in the United States. They are grown in Washington DC and Nevada. They are crunchy and mild. The Sunions become sweeter day by day. They are brown in colour. The cost of Sunions are thrice as that of the normal onions. They are not genetically modified.

Why do eyes tear while cutting onions?

• When cut, the onions produce syn – propanethial S – oxide. It is a chemical irritant. This chemical causes the tears in the eyes. This S – oxide is a lachrymator. Lachrymator is tear producer.
• The sulfenic acid in the onions rearrange themselves to form the S – oxide when cut. The sulfenic acid is highly unstable. When the onions are cut, the enzymes in the onions work to convert the amino acids into lachrymator. More the cut or damage more are the irritants produced. Soaking onions in water dissolves the amino acids in the onion.

Lachrymal glands

The syn – propanethial S – oxide stimulates the lachrymal glands. The glands are located in the orbit above the lateral end of the eyes. These glands are the creators of tears. The tears produced in the eyes actually cleanses the eyes. It is fluid that lubricates and moistens the eyes.

How are tears produced while cutting onions?

The S – Oxides generated in the onions when they are cut are highly volatile. They spread in the air when onions are chopped. Volatile means gets vaporised easily.