Successful trial sees onion variety return to Australian shelves with expanded distribution in 2024
Happy Chop - Tearless Onions have returned to Woolworths stores in May 2024 following a successful trial in New South Wales and Victoria last year.
For the first time, Happy Chop - Tearless Onions will also be arriving in stores across Queensland, Tasmania, South Australia and the Northern Territory. The onions are exclusive to Woolworths and will be sold in 500g pack until October 2024, while stocks last.
Woolworths Supermarkets’ general manager fruit & veg, Paul Turner said: “Tearless Onions were trending last year, and we are excited to bring this incredible variety to even more of our customers.”
He added that during the trial, customers shared their experiences with the Woolworths team.
“For people who typically shed a tear or two when cutting onions, it’s really been a game changer for meal prep,” he said.
Happy Chop - Tearless Onions were developed over decades using natural methods, including cross-breeding existing onion varieties.
“It took over three decades of investment, development, careful selection and hard work to develop this game-changing onion,” said customer marketing specialist at product developer BASF, Sam Clayfield. “Happy Chop -Tearless Onions allow consumers to prepare their onions without the pain and hassle of shedding tears.”
As a natural self-defence mechanism, onions release a combination of natural chemicals and enzymes (or ‘volatile compounds’) that can cause some tears and irritation when an onion is damaged or cut.
Happy Chop - Tearless Onions contain fewer of these compounds, and these compounds continue to reduce after they are harvested, compared to regular onions where these compounds increase over time. This means they become more tearless over time.
“As onion season gets into full swing during autumn, Happy Chop Tearless Onions are one of a number of onion varieties we will have on offer in our stores, giving our customers a wide range of fresh produce to choose from,” Turner said.
“With a little bit of a sweeter taste, they can be enjoyed raw in a salad or cooked in a casserole or soup.”
