How to easily test your eggs for freshness and avoid salmonella risks

Stale eggs are unwelcome in every kitchen. But do we really know how to tell them apart from the fresh ones? There's an extremely simple and practical way to do this without breaking the shell. It's a trick everyone should know.

It's universally disliked. When a stale egg is cracked open, and the awful smell fills the room, it's clear we've made a huge mistake. Could this have been avoided? Or maybe there was no way around it, and we should just be thankful that the spoiled egg didn't end up in our cake mix or patties? Well, it turns out, it's better to be safe than sorry and perform a simple egg freshness test in advance. It's effortless and spares the need to ventilate the entire flat!

Despite common belief, salmonella bacteria can be found not just on the shell but also inside the egg. Therefore, eggs past their prime are doubly dangerous and, at best, will leave you with a sense of revulsion and a bad smell in your home. This is why caution is critical at various stages of handling eggs.

The shopping stage is crucial. This is when you should check the egg's expiry date and the condition of their shells. Alarming signs include a thin shell, cracks, and discolorations. You can gently shake the egg and listen. A characteristic "sloshing" sound indicates that air has entered, rendering the egg stale.

Other signs that eggs should be avoided include their smell, as well as an unusual "runniness" of the white and yolk, which signifies the absence of the chalaza, the white "strings" that keep the white and yolk organised. Pinkish whites are particularly harmful. More about this can be found at the provided link.

If you're concerned by any signs from an unbroken egg, or if you just want to be sure of the freshness of your eggs, a simple test can help. It's so easy, you'll remember it for life.

Start by taking a tall glass from the cupboard. Fill it with cold water and submerge the egg. If it sinks to the bottom, it's fresh. However, if it floats, that's a definite sign that air has gotten inside. Unfortunately, such eggs should be discarded!