If you love cooking but dread the inevitable waterworks that come with chopping onions, you’re not alone.
For many of us, the humble onion is both a kitchen staple and a culinary nemesis. Whether you’re whipping up a hearty stew, a classic spag bol, or a fresh salad, onions are almost always on the ingredient list—and so are the tears.
We’ve all tried the so-called ‘hacks’ to keep the tears at bay: holding a piece of bread in your mouth, freezing the onion, or donning a pair of ski goggles (no judgement if you’ve done this—we’ve been there too).
But now, Woolworths shoppers have discovered a game-changing solution that’s as simple as it is affordable: tearless onions, available for just $2 per 500g bag.
The science behind the sobs
Before we get into the nitty-gritty of this new kitchen hero, let’s talk about why onions make us cry in the first place.
According to Dr Ken Ng, Associate Professor in Food Chemistry at The University of Melbourne, it all comes down to a pesky enzyme called alliinase.
When you cut into an onion, this enzyme breaks down sulfur-containing compounds, which then morph into a volatile gas called propanethial-S-oxide.
When this gas hits the moisture in your eyes, it forms a mild sulfuric acid—cue the stinging, burning sensation and the inevitable tears.
Dr Leif Lundin, Chief Scientist of CSIRO’s Food Program, puts it simply: ‘When you cut an onion, it releases a natural compound into the air that bothers your eyes, prompting your body to produce tears to flush it out.’
So, what’s the secret to tearless onions?
The answer lies in good old-fashioned plant breeding. Tearless onions, like Woolworths’ Happy Chop Tearless Onions, are the result of decades of cross-breeding different onion varieties to reduce the amount of the tear-inducing enzyme.
No genetic modification here—just clever cross-pollination, much like how we breed flowers for different colours or shapes.
These onions have been available at Woolworths since July 2023, but it seems many shoppers are only just discovering them.
One such convert is Melissa Grewer, who was so impressed she took to TikTok to share her tear-free chopping experience.
‘I kept holding them to my eye, waiting for something to happen; but the only bit of water from my eye was because I didn’t blink,’ she laughed.
Do they really work?
The reviews are in, and for many, the answer is a resounding yes. Popular content creator Oh So Busy Mum also gave them a go, confirming to her followers, ‘I can confirm that you won’t cry cutting these.’
Of course, not everyone is convinced. Some shoppers reported that the tearless onions still made them a bit misty-eyed, while others were sceptical about the flavour.
‘They don’t have enough flavour (needed extra salt and butter/oil) for me,’ one person commented. ‘So I’ll endure the tears and headaches from normal ones or make my husband cut them.’
Credit: Woolworths / TikTok
Flavour vs function: Are tearless onions as tasty?
Woolworths claims their tearless onions are slightly sweeter than regular brown onions, with a great onion flavour that works well both raw and cooked.
Melissa agrees, saying, ‘The flavour, texture and cooking time were all the same. They actually looked fresher and are a decent size.’
Dr Ng notes that while tearless onions can have a slightly different taste and aroma due to the reduced sulfur compounds, most people won’t notice a significant difference, especially in cooked dishes.
He suggests they’re particularly well-suited to raw applications like salads, sandwiches, salsas, and garnishes, but if you’re after that bold, sharp onion punch for gravies or pickling, you might still prefer the traditional variety.
Are they worth the price?
At $2 for 500g, tearless onions are only about 40 cents more per kilo than standard brown onions at Woolworths.
While some shoppers balk at the price difference (‘Might be tearless but I still cried at the price,’ quipped one), others, like Melissa, are happy to pay a little extra for a more pleasant cooking experience.
‘I will definitely keep buying them. I love cooking, and they make the job so much easier. I’d prefer not to fight back tears whilst handling a knife!’
Credit: Jimmy Rees / Instagram
A few more onion tips for tear-free cooking
If you’re not ready to make the switch or can’t find tearless onions at your local Woolworths, here are a few tried-and-true tips to minimise the tears:
- Chill your onions in the fridge before chopping—the cold slows down the release of the tear-inducing gas.
- Use a sharp knife to reduce cell damage (and gas release).
- Cut the root end last—it contains the highest concentration of the offending compounds.
- Try cutting onions under a vent or near an open window for better airflow.
The final chop
Whether you’re a seasoned home cook or just starting out, anything that makes meal prep easier (and less teary) is a win in our book. Tearless onions might not be for everyone, but for those who dread the onion-induced waterworks, they could be a genuine game-changer.
Have you tried tearless onions yet? Did they live up to the hype, or do you prefer the old-fashioned kind—tears and all? Share your thoughts, tips, and onion-chopping war stories in the comments below!
Also read: This common habit is ruining your onions and garlic—are you doing it too?
