It is common to place eggs in the designated tray on the fridge door. However, this habit inadvertently creates an ideal environment for the growth of Salmonella enteritidis, a bacterium that causes stomach issues and is often found in egg yolks.
Additionally, the frequent opening and closing of the fridge door cause temperature fluctuations that can impact the freshness of the eggs.
According to an article in the Journal of Food Protection, the low temperatures in a fridge slow down the activity of enzymes in eggs, which means that the colder the temperature, the less nutritious the eggs become.
When eggs are removed from the fridge and left at room temperature, condensation often forms on the shell. These water droplets provide an entry point for bacteria, causing the eggs to spoil more quickly.
Proper Egg Storage
Eggs can be safely stored at room temperature in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight for 7-10 days.
If you wish to extend their shelf life, you can store them in the fridge, but keep in mind the following:
– Wash the eggs before placing them in the fridge.
– Keep them in their cardboard or plastic container, placed deeper inside the fridge, away from the door. This helps prevent moisture loss and absorbs odors from other foods.
– Position the eggs with the smaller end down and the larger end up. This keeps the yolk centered and helps maintain freshness.
– Coating the eggs with a thin layer of vegetable oil, such as canola or sesame oil, and storing them at a temperature between 25-32 degrees Celsius can extend their freshness for up to 36 days.
– Finally, eggs removed from the fridge should be used within 2 hours to prevent bacterial growth.
Frequently asked questions
It is recommended to store eggs in the fridge, ideally in the carton they came in, and not in the egg tray in the fridge door. This is because the temperature fluctuates in that area due to the constant opening and closing of the fridge door.
To prolong the freshness of eggs, it is best to keep them in their original carton and store them in the main body of the fridge, where the temperature is more consistent. Eggs should also be kept away from strong-smelling foods, as they can absorb odors through their porous shells.
If you don’t have space in your fridge, you can store eggs on the countertop, but they will stay fresh for only about two weeks. It is also important to ensure that your countertop is cool and dry, and the eggs are kept away from direct sunlight or heat sources.
Fresh eggs can last for about 4-5 weeks when stored in the fridge. However, it is still important to check the ‘best before’ date on the carton, as this date will take into account the conditions in which the eggs have been stored by the supplier.
Farm-fresh eggs have a natural protective coating on the shell, which means they can be stored at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. In contrast, store-bought eggs have most likely been washed, removing this coating, so they should be refrigerated to stay fresh for a similar duration.
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