Examine the Egg’s Shell
When you want to buy fresh and delicious eggs, take a close look at their shells. This is also the quickest and easiest way to choose fresh eggs. Opt for eggs with slightly thicker and moderately sized shells as they tend to be fresher than thinner and larger ones, which are usually from hybrid or industrial chickens. Additionally, avoid eggs with overly smooth and shiny shells, as well as those with black spots, indicating that they have been stored for a long time.
Give the Egg a Gentle Shake
One of the ways to select tasty chicken eggs is to gently shake the egg. If there is no movement inside, it is definitely a fresh egg; if there is movement, it has been sitting for a while.
Test the Egg with Salt Water
A simple way to check if an egg is fresh is to prepare a basin of diluted salt water and gently place the egg inside. Fresh eggs will sink to the bottom and lie horizontally; older eggs will float somewhere in the basin; and rotten eggs will float to the surface.
Inspect the Inside of the Egg
When choosing an egg, it’s a good idea to expose both ends of the egg to light or roll the egg on a notebook or newspaper. Look through one side, and if you see that the yolk and egg white are firmly attached, the egg is fresh. If the yolk and egg white appear loose and separated, the egg is older.
How to Identify Fake, Bleached, or Chinese Eggs
To ensure you’re buying safe and authentic eggs, it’s best to purchase them from reputable sources like supermarkets or large stores specializing in eggs, with certified guarantees of cleanliness and safety. If not, you can apply the following methods:
Identifying Fake Eggs: If you’re buying eggs in bulk, it’s a good idea to crack one open and take a whiff. A natural tangy smell indicates a real egg, while unusual odors (sour, putrid, or chemical) suggest a fake or old egg.
Distinguishing Bleached Eggs: Some sellers use acetic acid (found in lemons and vinegar) to bleach industrial chicken eggs to make them resemble more expensive native chicken eggs. However, with a keen eye, you can easily spot the difference.
Industrial chicken eggs are typically larger, weighing around 55-60g, while native chicken eggs are smaller, usually weighing around 45g.
Bleached eggs have a slightly pinkish-white color and appear as if they have a layer of white dust on them. They lack the natural white color and may have some stains on the shell, which is typical of authentic native chicken eggs.
Differentiating Native Chicken Eggs from Chinese Eggs: Native chicken eggs from local sources are generally smaller, with shells that have a whitish-pink hue. When cracked open, they reveal a deep yellow yolk with a generous amount of egg white. In contrast, Chinese eggs have darker shells, similar in size to industrial chicken eggs, but with paler yolks and a higher proportion of egg white. The yolks tend to break and distort when cracked, unlike the firm and intact yolks of native chicken eggs.
According to Khoevadep