How to check if an egg is fresh

At first glance, it is difficult to tell which eggs are stale because they all look very similar from the outside.

However, when we break the egg, we may get an unpleasant surprise. How to avoid a mishap? How to check whether an egg is suitable for consumption? Use one of these reliable home remedies!

By looking at an egg, we can somewhat judge whether it is fresh. Contrary to appearances, it should not have a smooth, shiny shell. On the contrary, good eggs are those that often have a dull and rough shell. It's best if they also have traces of chicken feathers and other dirt on them. This means that no one has washed them before and there is a protective filter on them, thanks to which the egg does not spoil so quickly.

However, when we look at an egg, can we be sure that it is fresh? Absolutely not! This requires more in-depth testing. Fortunately, we don't have to break down each one to see if we can use it.

How to check if an egg is fresh

There are easier and less invasive ways to determine which egg is fresh.

1. Water test

This is one of the best-known methods to check whether an egg is fresh. What is it? Place the egg in a tall glass filled with cold water. Now watch how it behaves. If the egg sinks to the bottom, it is fresh. However, if it floats to the surface of the water, you should get rid of it immediately.

Why is this happening? Rotten eggs float on the surface of water because their shell loses moisture and is replaced by air. The older the eggs, the more of it they have. This is why they start to drift on the water.

2. Shake

Shake the egg and listen to what is happening inside. If you don't hear the characteristic squelching sound, you can safely use this egg. Otherwise, get rid of this product. This is a sign that air has gotten inside. In this case, it is better not to eat such an egg, as it may simply be old.

3. "X-ray"

Many egg producers recommend this method. What is it about? Just place the egg under a bright light in a dark room. Thanks to this, you will be able to take a closer look at its content. You can easily detect the presence of potential irregularities, including blood or meat stains, or microorganisms.

4. Expiration date

Each batch of eggs has a date of minimum durability. It is no more than 28 days from the date of egg laying. What does this mean in practice? If we store eggs properly, we can still eat them even after this date. However, it is best if we cook them hard. Of course, before we reach for them, let's perform one of the above tests. Then we will be sure that they are actually safe for us.

This was originally published on Onet Woman.