Avoid cracked shells: Mastering the art of boiling eggs
Boiling hard-boiled eggs seems incredibly simple, yet mistakes can still happen. Do you want to avoid cracked shells and the egg's contents leaking into the water? There are several proven methods to prevent this while keeping the eggs fully nutritious.
Boiling hard-boiled eggs requires precision. Timing is crucial and needs to be adjusted correctly. Eggs should be boiled for 8-10 minutes, depending on their size. Prepared this way, they provide us with plenty of vitamins and minerals. They are an ideal addition to sandwiches or salads. So, what could go wrong when boiling them?
Temperature matters
The most common mistake when boiling eggs comes from being in a hurry. If cold eggs are placed in hot water, they can crack, causing some of the contents to leak. To avoid this, it's best to take them out of the refrigerator about half an hour beforehand to reach room temperature. If you didn't manage to do this, it's better to place them in cold water instead of boiling water. Additionally, you can add a teaspoon of salt or lemon juice to help keep the egg white inside if the shell cracks.
Cold water is safer
Why is it better to place eggs in cold rather than hot water? Heating water slowly helps avoid abrupt temperature changes. To speed up the process, you can cover the pot with a lid, which effectively shortens the cooking time. Prepared this way, the eggs are less likely to crack.
Avoid the ring
Another common oversight is neglecting to check the time or set a timer. It's important not to overcook the eggs because overcooking affects both their nutritional value and appearance. Overcooking deprives eggs of many nutrients, which is unfortunate since hard-boiled eggs are a source of high-quality protein, B vitamins, and vitamins D, A, E, along with minerals like selenium and phosphorus. Overcooking also leads to the formation of an unsightly gray ring around the yolk, a result of a chemical reaction between sulfur and iron.
