Questions (& Answers) I Have: Yet Another Series

Happy New Year! I have decided that 2026 will be a year of knowledge, for myself and for all of you lucky folks. I therefore decided to create an ongoing list of questions that frequently cross my mind, and that I'm sure the general public also wonders about. I was originally just going to list the questions here, but then I thought of something better: I could also list the answers! Ignorance can certainly be bliss, but in this Age of Information, I see no good reason why I shouldn't take a few minutes out of my day to dispel my wonders. 

So here it goes:

1) How many layers does an onion have? How many do you remove when cooking?

After extensive research (ok I'll admit, I wasn't willing to spend more than like 15 minutes doing this) I decided to consult the only trustworthy-seeming site out there on this subject matter: the National Onion Association (founded in 1913!). According to a handy dandy handbook they published, it is advised to begin cutting onions by "peel[ing] off the outer layers of skin." So that's not very helpful. They also didn't explicitly state how many layers the average onion has. Why is this information hard to find?? People on Reddit seem to be having similar troubles. Well, I tried.

I did learn a couple of fun facts though: historically, onions were used to prevent thirst and even to aid in mummification! They supposedly prevent thirst because they have a high water content and lots of electrolytes. I kind of thought it was because they could make you cry so much that you would produce enough water to keep yourself hydrated - just kidding, I think this would result in net zero water gain...

Ok so basically onions are pretty cool (also the average person apparently consumes 13 lbs. of onions annually!!), but I still have many questions. Sorry if you weren't previously curious about onions and now you are and are also left confused! 

Enjoy this photo of onions I braided during COVID. Truly a peak pandemic activity:

2) Why are baking soda containers fashioned as they are? Why is nothing else that way (even baking powder!)?

PSA, this answer was largely found on Quora so take what you read with a grain of salt: 

Cardboard is cheap and air exposure won't ruin baking soda, so the container doesn't need to be airtight (as opposed to baking powder). Baking soda is also apparently a natural deodorizer, so leaving it in this airy container allows it to absorb odors from the surrounding air. Wow! I feel like we should start putting baking soda in gyms and bathrooms. Maybe people already do this!?

I feel smarter already! I hope you do too! More questions & answers to come as life happens :)

Update: 1/28/2026

3) I looked in the mirror today and noticed for the first time ever in my life that I barely have any freckles. I know they become more prominent in the summer but where the heck did they go? 

Ok I guess they just don't get as much UV exposure (obviously), which helps stimulate melanin and thereby darken pre-existing freckles. Thanks Quora! I mean like I knew this but it's actually crazy that I'm just realizing how different my skin looks.

4) What do Chicagoans mean when they say "stay warm"? Like do they mean it's socially acceptable to never leave your house? Or do they mean you can wear five balaclavas simultaneously and not be considered a wimp? 

The Google AI summary tells me it's a "genuine wish for safety." I mean I know people are being genuine but I always feel like I should give a little chuckle when I'm told to "stay warm" in sub-zero temperatures with Antartica-like wind chills. I guess I just gotta get used to the lingo.