Fresh Egg Shelf Life: everything You Need to Know

Knowing how to store and use fresh eggs correctly is essential in every kitchen. Their versatility makes them a staple ingredient in many dishes, from cakes to quiches. However, they can also serve as potential breeding grounds for bacteria if not handled or stored properly. In this blog post, you’ll learn everything there is to know about the shelf life of fresh eggs, along with tips and tricks on how to maintain their freshness.

Determining the Freshness of Eggs: techniques and Tips

Understanding Expiry Date Markings

The Recommended Consumption Date (RCD), usually found on egg cartons, indicates that fresh eggs can be safely consumed up to 28 days after laying. It’s crucial to check that your eggs are not cracked as this prevents the growth of bacteria such as salmonella.

The Water Glass Test

If you’re uncertain about an egg’s freshness, the water glass test offers an easy solution. Fill a glass with water and gently drop the egg in. If it sinks and stays at the bottom, it’s still fresh; if it floats, it’s time to discard it.

Moving forward let’s delve into some home conservation tips that will add more value to your egg handling skills.

Tips for Storing Eggs at Home

Don’t Wash Your Eggs

Avoid washing your eggs upon collection since it can strip away natural protective barrier known as cuticle which helps prevent microbial entry. Instead, leave them unwashed until just before you’re ready to use them.

Store Correctly

Eggs should be stored in an egg box at an ambient temperature of around 20°C. This protects them from shocks and other potential damages. An effective practice is to write the laying date on each shell for better management. Moreover, eggs should always be stored with their pointed end downwards to keep the yolk centred.

Let’s now explore one of the most debatable topics about egg storage: refrigerator or not ?

The Refrigeration Debate: to Fridge or Not ?

Egg Storage Temperature

While some people prefer keeping their eggs at room temperature, storing them in a cool and dry area, such as the refrigerator, can prolong their freshness. However, they should be kept away from strong odours since eggshells are porous and might absorb them.

Egg Orientation Matters

Storing eggs with their broader end up in the refrigerator reduces gaseous exchanges and keeps the air cell on top. This helps in maintaining freshness for an extended period.

Next, we will look at how frequency of collection influences egg durability.

Picking Frequency and Its Impact on Egg Longevity

Daily Collection is Key

To maintain maximum freshness and quality, collect your chicken coop eggs daily. Allow them to dry and cool before collection to preserve the natural protective coating. During summer months, prevent overheating for optimal preservation.

Freshness Duration

After understanding picking frequency, let’s move onto some ways to extend your fresh eggs’ life span.

Ways to Extend Your Fresh Eggs’ Shelf Life

Avoid Washing Until Necessary

As previously stated, washing eggs can remove the protective cuticle. It’s best to clean them just before use with slightly warm water.

Monitor Temperature and Humidity

Storing eggs at a consistent, cool temperature and maintaining low humidity helps extend their shelf life. A sudden change in these conditions could adversely affect their quality.

We’ve talked about extending the life span, but how do we identify when an egg has gone bad ?

Signs That It’s Time to Discard an Egg

Odour and Appearance

A rotten egg will often give off a sulphuric or unpleasant smell. The white and yolk of an older egg will be flatter and spread out when you crack it open instead of standing firm.

The Float Test

Again, the float test comes in handy for this. Remember, if an egg floats in a glass of water, it’s time to discard it.

To sum up, proper handling and storage of fresh eggs are key to extending their shelf life. Not washing until necessary, storing correctly, monitoring temperature and humidity, plus daily collection are all crucial practices. Equally important is knowing when to discard an egg. Happy cooking !