Fresh egg check: Tips for testing egg freshness at home
How to check if eggs are fresh? Although we can rely on the expiration date found on the packaging, there are several other methods worth knowing. One of them is called the "water test".
Fresh eggs are the key to tasty and healthy dishes. How can we find out if the ones we bought at the market or in a supermarket are suitable for consumption? There are several simple methods to quickly determine their freshness.
How to check if eggs are fresh?
The first method to check the freshness of eggs is the water test. Fill a large vessel, such as a blender cup, with water, and then gently place the egg inside. A fresh egg will sink to the bottom and stay there. If it floats or rises to the surface, it means it is old. The presence of air indicates it is not fresh.
Another simple way is the flashlight method. Just go to a dark room and shine the flashlight on the egg. If you see a solid yolk inside, it means the egg is fresh. This method avoids breaking the egg, which is beneficial if you want to keep it for later.
This is how you check if eggs are fit to eat
If you decide to break the egg, pay attention to its smell and appearance. A fresh egg will have a neutral smell, thick whites clinging to the yolk, and a high, rounded yolk. If the white is watery and the egg smells unpleasant, it may be spoiled. It should be discarded immediately.
You can also check the freshness of an egg by shaking it. If you feel something sloshing inside, it means the egg is old and not fresh. This is a quick method that can even be used while shopping in the store.
The last method is visual assessment of the shell. Eggs with fresh shells will not have unusual spots or discolorations, which may indicate issues with the calcium process or a poor hen diet. A soft shell is also a signal that the egg may not have been stored properly, or the hen had limited access to water.
