Thanks to Science, ‘Tearless Onions’ Are Now a Thing

(Bloomberg) -- If you weep at the thought of crying a river every time you chop onions, Germany's BASF SE has you covered with a new “tearless” bulb: the Sunion.

The novel variety, developed by BASF's vegetable seeds business, hits supermarket shelves in Germany this month after going out to consumers in Italy in December. Shoppers in the U.K. and France are also getting a taste after the product was introduced in selected chains there in recent weeks. The product is also on sale in the U.S., Canada and Spain.

The result of more than three decades of conventional breeding efforts, the Sunion's anti-tear-jerker properties aren't the only benefit. Like good wine, they also taste better as they age.

“While onions usually become more pungent while being stored, this variety becomes milder and sweeter over time,” BASF said.

“The tearless onion is a clear example of our ambition to make healthy eating enjoyable,” said Bilgehan Suer, the project leader for Sunions Europe.

The rest is up to consumers. “What countries will be considered next depends on local interest from consumers and the available supply options,” the company said.

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