Has it ever happened that you broke an egg to use and it was spoiled? There are some tricks that can help you know if the egg is good.
How do you know if the egg is good? Firstly, there is nothing worse than ruining a recipe by breaking a bad egg on top of your ingredients. Sometimes, we leave some eggs stored for a long time and they end up expiring. Or it may even happen that we buy some eggs already lost in the carton itself.
Therefore, before using, it is always important to check the egg’s expiration date! Yes, that’s right, there’s a way to know if the egg is good before you even break it.
Tricks to know if the egg is good
1- Place the egg in a bowl or a wide glass of cold water and see if it floats.
Inside the eggs there is a small air pocket, the more time passes, the more air enters through the shell and settles inside it. As this occurs, the sac expands and causes the egg to float more.
Therefore, if the egg sinks sideways into the base of the cup, it is excellent for consumption. If the egg sinks to the bottom of the cup, it is past its peak, but it can still be safely consumed. But if the egg is floating, it is not fresh. However, this does not necessarily mean that it is damaged. It’s best to open it in another bowl and look for signs that it has gone bad.
2- Hold the egg next to your ear and shake it
As it ages, moisture and carbon dioxide escape through the eggshell. Additionally, the white and yolk begin to dry out and shrink. This way, the internal air pocket expands inside the egg. Therefore, a larger air pocket gives more space for the contents to move inside the shell, emitting the sound of liquid moving.
Therefore, if the egg is making sounds when shaken, it means it is not fresh. In other words, the sounds made indicate that the egg is old, not that it cannot be consumed safely.
3- Break the egg into a plate or bowl to check the quality of the white and yolk
The integrity of the egg will be less as it ages, so the contents of the egg will not hold together as much over time. See if the egg tends to spread too much on the plate or if it has that “watery” appearance. If this happens, it means it is past its prime.
So, an easy way to know if the egg is good is that if the yolk is flat and breaks easily, the egg is old. If the yolk moves easily, it means the chalaza (the filament in the white that holds the yolk in place) has weakened and the egg is aging. If the white is thick and gray, this indicates that the egg is quite fresh. A very transparent white means that the egg is old, however, it can still be consumed.
Identifying a Bad Egg
There are also other ways to know if the egg is good after breaking it. Being them:
– Break the egg and see if it gives off a strong odor;
– Break the egg into a small plate and inspect its color;
How to prevent eggs from spoiling
There are also some tips to help you prevent your eggs from spoiling! Which are:
1- Check the expiration date on the packaging
Most foods sold must have an expiration date on the packaging. This may be identified as “do not sell after” or “valid until”. The deadline must be up to a maximum of 30 days after the day the eggs were packed.
On the other hand, if kept in the refrigerator, eggs can stay good for at least another 30 days beyond the expiration date. That is, two months.
2- Check the recommended date for consumption
Therefore, most brands also say “Use by” or “Best by” on the packaging. Therefore, it is best to consume your eggs during this period. The deadline must be within 45 days from the date of packaging the eggs. Use the eggs within two weeks of the expiration date.
Finally, “best by” refers to the period in which the eggs are freshest and have better texture, flavor and binding and thickening properties. However, this does not mean that the eggs are spoiled or rotten after the date.
3- Use the three-digit code that indicates the date the eggs were packed
However, not all packaging contains an expiration date. So, how do you know if the egg is good? Well, it is recommended that you look at the date they were packaged. Because this way, you will have an idea of when they were harvested. This date usually appears as a three-digit code using the Julian calendar.
This means that eggs packed on January 1st would be identified by 001, while eggs packed on October 15th would be identified by 288 and those on December 31st by 365.
4- Throw away any eggs that have been kept at room temperature for two hours or more after being refrigerated.
After storing an egg in the refrigerator, it is important to keep it at the same temperature. This is because, as the shell is porous, bacteria and fungi can enter the egg through it.
Therefore, to prevent temperature variations, store eggs in the coldest part of the refrigerator, no at the door. For example, the refrigerator door, as it is always being opened and closed, varies more in temperature. Therefore, it is best not to leave the eggs there.
If you receive unwashed eggs at room temperature, there is no need to refrigerate them. Eggs naturally have a protective film, but when washed, it ends up being removed.
5- Follow the instructions on the package to determine how long to keep the eggs
It’s safe to assume the eggs will be good for at least two months. However, if you are in doubt or if you keep chickens, consult the guidelines from the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply.
And there? Are you now an expert on how to know if an egg is good?
Did you like this article? Then read also: How to preserve – Step by step, tips, benefits and care.
Sources: wikihow, gazettedpovo.
Featured image: vix
