Have you ever realized that the eggs you were using were past their expiration date, while in the middle of cooking or baking? Or maybe you bought packaged eggs with no expiration date, but aren't sure about their freshness? Fortunately, rotten eggs are very easy to spot. This article will guide you to tell the difference between rotten and fresh eggs, as well as some tricks to determine the freshness of eggs.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Testing the Freshness of Eggs
Step 1. Place the eggs that you doubt the freshness of in a bowl or large glass filled with water
Inside the egg, there are small air sacs that will enlarge over time due to air entering through the pores of the shell. The bigger the air pocket in the egg, the lighter it will be.
- If the eggs sink flat to the bottom of the bowl, they are still very fresh.
- If the egg is standing upright but one end is still touching the bottom of the bowl, the egg is not very fresh, but still safe to eat.
- If the egg floats, it means the egg is not fresh. This doesn't necessarily mean the eggs are rotten or unsafe to eat. You should check by cracking the eggs and watching for signs (such as smells) that the eggs are rotting.
Step 2. Hold the egg close to your ear and shake it, listening for a swishing sound of moving fluid
The longer the egg, the more moisture and carbon dioxide will enter through the shell. As a result, egg yolks and whites dry out and shrivel up, and the air sacs inside get bigger. The larger air sacs make it easier for the eggs to move inside the shell and make a swishing sound.
- Fresh eggs will not make a loud noise when you shake them, and may not even make a sound at all.
- A rustling sound only indicates the egg is old, but that doesn't mean it's unsafe for consumption.
Step 3. Crack the eggs and place them in a large plate or bowl to check the quality of the yolks and whites
The stability of the egg shape will decrease over time, so the shape will not be as dense as fresh eggs. Notice if the eggs appear to be spreading widely on the plate or tend to stick together. Eggs that are spread and appear a little runny have a thinner, less-fresh white egg.
- If the yolk looks flat and breaks easily, it means the egg is old.
- If the yolk can move easily, then the thick white strands that hold the yolk in position (chalaze) have loosened and the egg is old.
- Pay attention to the color of the egg white. A cloudy egg white color indicates a very fresh egg. While the clear egg white indicates an older egg (although it may still be edible).
Method 2 of 3: Recognizing Rotten Eggs
Step 1. Crack the egg and notice the smell
Smell is the main marker to identify rotten eggs. Rotten eggs will give off a strong foul odor when cracked. The smell of sulfur will be obvious as soon as the egg is cracked (and possibly before), so it should be thrown away.
Rotten eggs will emit a bad smell, both when they are still raw and after cooking
Step 2. Crack the egg and put it in a small bowl and note the color
The color of the yolk will change according to the food the hen eats, so the brightness of the yolk or orange does not determine the freshness of the egg. Instead, pay attention to the color of the egg white or albumin. If they are pink, green, or colorful, the eggs have been contaminated with Pseudomonas bacteria and are not safe to eat. If you see black or green spots on the egg, it means the egg has been contaminated with mold and should be thrown away.
- If the yolk is surrounded by a green ring, it means the egg has been overcooked or boiled in water that is high in iron. Eggs like this are still safe to eat.
- If there are specks of blood or flesh on the egg, it's still safe to eat and doesn't mean the egg has been contaminated or rotted. Blood spots can appear if there are blood vessels that burst in the process of egg formation and are not related to the freshness level.
Method 3 of 3: Using Date and Time
Step 1. Check the expiration date listed on the packaging
This expiration date may be listed as best before or EXP. This date is usually 30 days from when the eggs are packed. Eggs stored in the refrigerator and not cracked should still be used for at least 1 month after the expiration date.
- The sell-by expiration date is expressed in days/months. So eggs that must be sold before March 15 are usually marked "15/03".
- The "sell-by" date states the last date an egg may be generally sold. Eggs should be removed from store shelves after this date. Even after going through it, it doesn't mean the eggs have rotted or can't be used anymore.
Step 2. Check the "best-by" date on the package
The best-by date may also be stated as "use by," "use before," or "best before." The best-by label must be 45 days from the egg packaging date. Try to finish the eggs within two weeks of the best-by date.
The "best-by" date means the egg's best use, in its freshest condition with the best texture, taste, and adhesion and bonding power. After this date, eggs do not mean rotten or unusable
Step 3. Use the 3-digit code to find out the packaging date of the eggs
In the US, federal law does not require a sell-by or best-by date (some states require it, while others prohibit it), but all eggs must contain the packaging date. This date is usually written in the form of a three-digit code according to the day in the Gregorian calendar system. In this code, January 1 is stated as 001, eggs packed on October 15 are written as 288, and eggs packed on December 31 are marked 365.
- Pay attention to the numbers listed on the egg packaging. You'll see the manufacturer's code (the letter P followed by a number) indicating where the eggs were packaged, followed by the code for the date they were packaged.
- The European Union also requires the inclusion of the egg packaging date. Even if the eggs are sold individually and not in certain packages, the buyer must be able to know this information.
Step 4. Remove eggs that have been removed from the refrigerator for 2 hours or more at room temperature
Once the eggs have cooled in the refrigerator, you should keep them at the same temperature. Cold eggs placed in warmer temperatures will begin to condense, allowing bacteria to easily grow on the surface of the shells, which then enter the eggs and contaminate them.
- To prevent temperature changes, store eggs in the coldest part of the refrigerator, not in the door. The temperature of the refrigerator changes more easily at the door when you open and close it, so your eggs can condense.
- If you buy eggs that haven't been washed at room temperature, you don't need to refrigerate them. In many countries, including most European countries, eggs are stored at room temperature. This method is safe because the hen has been vaccinated against salmonella before laying eggs.
Step 5. Follow the packaging guidelines applicable in your country to determine how long you can store eggs
If you have laying hens and are curious about when the eggs will go bad, you can read the egg freshness guidelines that apply in your country. Most likely, your eggs are safe to use for at least two months, or even more.
