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Tag: Onions and tears

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Why and How Do Onions Give Off Sulfur?

3 min read
While it may not release pure sulfur gas, the answer to 'do onions give off sulfur?' is a definite yes in a more complex chemical sense. When an onion's cells are ruptured, such as during chopping, a rapid enzymatic reaction occurs that transforms sulfur compounds into volatile irritants. This process explains the sharp odor and the famous tear-inducing effect that kitchen-goers have experienced for centuries.