Tips

How to Tell If Eggs Are Past Their Prime in the Fridge?

"Many people make the mistake of storing eggs in the refrigerator and then using them without checking the expiration date. This article will teach you how to spot expired eggs and improve your egg storage habits."

Administrator

14 July, 2024

Many individuals tend to buy eggs in bulk and store them in the refrigerator for later consumption. However, this practice is not advisable as you will never remember when you bought those eggs.

To check if your eggs have expired and gone bad, try these two tricks that I’m about to share with you.

1. Testing Eggs with Water

If an egg sinks and lies horizontally in water, it is still very fresh and suitable for consumption.

If the egg sinks and stands vertically, it means that the egg is approaching its expiration date and should be used as soon as possible.

If the egg floats to the surface, it indicates that the egg is old, with shrunken yolk and egg white. The intrusion of air inside causes them to float easily, and such eggs should be discarded immediately.

Testing Eggs with Water

2. Testing Eggs by Shining a Light

Due to the thin shell of an egg, when you shine a flashlight, torch, or desk lamp on it, you can easily see the yolk and egg white and determine whether the egg has gone bad.

Testing Eggs by Shining a Light

Referring to the images above, you can observe the following:

Image a shows the freshest egg.
Images b and c show older eggs that should be used with caution.
In image d, the egg is rotten, and you should discard it as the yolk and egg white have mixed, resulting in a foul smell.

Did You Know?

Many people believe that eggs should not be consumed after the expiration date printed on the carton. However, in reality, you can still use eggs for a few days or even a week after this date, provided you know how to distinguish between good and bad eggs. The dates on the packaging are sometimes only relatively accurate.

If you eat a few bad eggs, you’ll likely be fine because your immune system can fight off the bacteria. However, individuals with weakened immune systems, such as the elderly and children, may require antibiotic treatment due to the risk of Salmonella poisoning, as chickens can easily become infected with Salmonella bacteria in their ovaries.

References:

Consuming expired eggs can be detrimental to our health. This article has provided two simple methods to determine whether your eggs have expired, which you can easily perform at home. Good luck!

Frequently asked questions

There are a few simple tests you can do to check the freshness of eggs. Try the water float test by filling a bowl with cold water and gently placing the egg inside. If it sinks and lays flat on its side, it’s very fresh. If it sinks but stands on one end, it’s still safe to eat but not as fresh. If the egg floats, it’s best to discard it as it’s likely past its prime. You can also try the shake test. Gently shake the egg near your ear, if you can hear the yolk and white moving around, it’s best to discard it as it’s no longer fresh.

A bad egg will often have a distinct sulfurous or rotten odor. The white of the egg may also appear discolored or slimy, and the yolk may be darker in color and less firm. If you crack an egg and notice any of these signs, it’s best to discard it.

Fresh eggs can last for about 4-5 weeks in the fridge. However, it’s important to note that the longer an egg is stored, the more its quality deteriorates. Even if an egg looks and smells fine, its nutritional value and taste may not be as good as a fresher egg.

Eggs should always be stored in their original carton and placed in the main body of the fridge, not in the door, as the temperature there is less consistent. Keep them in the carton as it helps protect the eggs from absorbing odors and losing moisture. Also, always store eggs with the pointed end down, as this helps the yolk stay centered.

Yes, you can freeze eggs to extend their shelf life. However, you should only freeze the raw whites and yolks separately, not the whole raw egg. You can also freeze cooked eggs, such as scrambled eggs or omelets, for later use.