How to tell if your eggs are fresh: Five simple methods
How to check if eggs are fresh? Although we can rely on the expiry date on the packaging, there are several other methods worth knowing. One of these is the "water test".
Fresh eggs are the key to tasty and healthy dishes. How can we determine if the eggs we've bought from the market or a supermarket suit consumption? Several simple methods can quickly reveal this.
How to check if eggs are fresh?
The first method to check the freshness of eggs is the water test. Fill a large container, such as a blender jug, with water, and then gently place the egg inside. A fresh egg will sink to the bottom and remain there. If it floats or rises to the surface, it indicates that the egg is old. Air has infiltrated it, suggesting it is not fresh.
Another simple method is the torchlight method. Simply go into a dark room and shine a torch on the egg. If you see a solid yolk inside, it means the egg is fresh. This method avoids breaking the egg, which is helpful 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, with thick whites that cling 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, 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 discolourations, 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.
