In the UK it is quite common to keep eggs on the kitchen worktop, but anyone storing them this way needs to be careful as it is very easy for them to become contaminated in summer. British eggs are usually fine stored at room temperature as they are not heavily processed, which means they have their natural protective coating to keep bacteria and moisture out.
However, August tends to be quite a humid month when the weather changes quite quickly, and eggs need to be stored at a more consistent temperature to keep them safe to eat. The experts at Geldard Farm Eggs have shared that the best way to keep eggs fresh and edible is to keep them in the fridge.
They said: “For maximum freshness, it’s best to store eggs in the refrigerator at a steady temperature below 20C. The consistent cool environment slows down the ageing process and helps maintain egg quality for longer.”
Why store eggs in the fridge in summer?
When eggs are stored above 20C it can cause condensation, and the moisture will make it easier for salmonella and other bacteria to penetrate the shell.
This means that there is more risk of food poisoning, or the eggs becoming rotten before their expiry date, if you store them at room temperature in the summer.
Eggs need a constant temperature to stay fresh, so only store eggs straight from the supermarket into the fridge – and not any old eggs already on your kitchen counter.
What is the best way to store eggs in the fridge?
It might seem like the obvious place to store eggs, but the fridge door is actually one of the worst spots for them, as the temperature changes every time the door is opened.
The expert said: “Many refrigerators have an egg tray in the door, but this isn’t the best place for storage. The temperature in the fridge door fluctuates due to frequent opening and closing, which can reduce egg freshness.”
Instead, eggs should be stored on the middle or lower shelf of a fridge as it is where the temperature is more consistent.
Eggshells are naturally porous and can absorb strong odours from nearby foods, so it is best to store eggs away from pungent items such as onions or garlic to avoid affecting their flavour.
Storing eggs in the fridge as soon as you come home from the supermarket helps keep germs and bacteria away so you can eat them without worry this summer.
