How to store eggs to keep them fresh
According to Ollie, eggs need a cool consistent temperature to stop them from spoiling. This means eggs should be placed somewhere in the fridge but not in the doorway, as the movement from opening the fridge will disrupt the temperature.
Ollie wrote: “A temperature of 4°C or lower will ensure your eggs stay fresh and delicious. And keeping eggs in their original packaging will protect their pores from being infiltrated by their new, perhaps stronger-smelling neighbours in the fridge.”
A common question asked about egg storage is if eggs are best refrigerated, then why are they not stored this way in supermarkets? Ollie explained that this is because it interrupts the egg temperature and can cause condensation while you are on your way home from the shops.
Ollive wrote: “The shift in temperature from the fridge to your basket or trolley and then back to your fridge again would invite condensation and attract bacteria.”
If stored in your fridge in their original packaging, eggs should last up to three to four weeks according to Ollie.
How to tell if an egg is fresh?
If you suspect your eggs are going off, there are a series of simple test you can do before throwing them away in order to help you cut down on food waste.
Ollie wrote: “You can test the freshness of an egg using a variety of methods, including sniffing, listening (yes, listening!) and dunking it in water.
“Despite sounding like something from the Salem witch trials, these tests are very reliable.”
One way to test an egg is the hearing test, which is when you shake an egg next to your egg. If you can hear a sloshing sound, then it could be a sign the egg has gone bad and should not be eaten.
Ollie wrote: “Listen to that egg! A swishing sound is a sign that the egg is no longer fresh, but don’t just play it by ear. You should never rely on this test alone, but it can be used in combination with the water or visual test.”
The freshwater test is the most common way to test an egg’s freshness. Simply submerge an egg in cold water and if it sinks, it is fresh and safe to eat. If it floats, it is likely rotten and cannot be eaten.
Fresh eggs will be heavier than water according to Ollie, which is why this test is a simple yet accurate way to determine how fresh an egg is.
Ollie wrote: “Eggshells are porous, and air can gradually seep through their pores. The more time that passes, the more air enters the egg, and the more likely they are to float.
“The foul smell of the egg nearing its expiration date is hydrogen sulfide, which derives from the sulfur in the white. This light gas will also push the egg to the surface of the water.”
