In botany an onion is called genus Allium, a reputation first given in 1753 by Carl Linnaeus, who established the naming system for the pure order. One of the vital quite a few plant genera, there are between 600 and 750 completely different species of Allium. The phrase allium could come from a Celtic phrase that means “robust flavored.” Others say it’s from the Greek aleo, “to keep away from,” due to the pungency. The Celtic model is extra nice however the Greek extra possible.
Onion recipes all through the centuries have supplied a wide range of methods to ease the ache and even keep away from tearing. A Chinese language textual content from the Tune dynasty (960–1279) really helpful ginger and jujubes, typically referred to as Chinese language dates. The parsley treatment for each breath and tearing eyes was steered in 1629 by London apothecary John Parkinson in his Paradisi in Sole, which additionally prescribed onion juice to heal burns.
Florence Irwin, a touring Irish “home science” teacher within the early 1900s, taught her college students to take away the sting from onions by a method referred to as scalding. This was her approach, which really works: “Peel the onions, place in a basin, add a pinch of salt. Cowl with quick boiling water. Depart about one minute. Pressure off the water.”
Some recommend that the ache to the eyes will be decreased by operating water close to them. This appears a folks treatment, but it surely has a scientific underpinning: Simply because the sulfur compound is drawn to the water of the eyes, will probably be drawn away to the faucet water. Retaining onions chilly within the fridge may assist, as a result of chilly reduces the onion’s capability to launch its gasses.
Utilizing a pointy knife is a good suggestion too, as a result of the sharper the knife, the less cells are disturbed, however the onion can nonetheless make you cry. It’s typically steered that lighting a match, holding an unlit match in your enamel, holding a crust of bread within the mouth, or biting on the deal with of a picket spoon may help. There’s not a lot science behind these options.
I actually have discovered some success with the operating water or refrigeration, and none with the bread, match, or picket spoon. One other factor that I’ve discovered useful that, oddly, is never talked about, is to guard your eyes by sporting glasses. Onion goggles can be found too. However bear in mind, the onion’s protection system is highly effective: If the compound can get to your nostril, it has a pathway to your eyes.
From The Core of an Onion: Peeling the Rarest Widespread Meals – That includes Extra Than 100 Historic Recipes by Mark Kurlansky, releasing November 7 from Bloomsbury Publishing. Copyright © Mark Kurlansky, 2023. All rights reserved.
