If the egg lays on its side on the bottom of the bowl, it is at peak freshness. [2] X Expert Source Ollie George CiglianoPrivate Chef & Food Educator Expert Interview. 30 August 2021. [3] X Research source If the egg stands upright on one end but is still touching the bottom, it is aging past its prime but is still safe to eat. [4] X Research source If the egg is floating, it is not a fresh egg. This does not necessarily mean it’s bad or unsafe to eat. [5] X Expert Source Ollie George CiglianoPrivate Chef & Food Educator Expert Interview. 30 August 2021. You should test the egg by cracking it open and looking for (or smelling) signs that it has gone bad. [6] X Research source
A fresh egg should not make much, if any, sound when you shake it. [8] X Research source A sloshing egg only indicates that the egg is old and does not mean the egg is unsafe for consumption.
If the yolk is flat and breaks easily, the egg is old. [10] X Research source If the yolk moves around easily, this means the chalazae (the thicker strands of egg white that hold the yolk in place) have weakened and the egg is aging. [11] X Research source Look at the color of the egg white. A cloudy white indicates a very fresh egg. A clear white means the egg is older (but may still be edible). [12] X Research source
A bad egg will have this foul smell, regardless of whether it is raw or cooked. [15] X Research source
If the yolk of a hard-cooked egg has a green ring around it, this means the egg has been overcooked or was cooked in water with a high iron content. This egg is still safe to eat. [18] X Research source If there is a blood or meat spot on the egg, it is still safe to eat and does not mean the egg is contaminated or has gone bad. A blood spot occurs when a blood vessel ruptures when the egg is forming and has nothing to do with freshness. [19] X Research source
The sell-by date appears as month/day in the United States. So eggs that must be sold by March 15th are labeled 03/15. “Sell-by” refers to the last date the eggs should be available for the public to purchase. Eggs should be pulled from the shelf after this date. [21] X Research source It does not mean the eggs are bad or rotten after this date.
“Best-by” refers to the period of time eggs are at their peak freshness, with the best texture, flavor, and binding and thickening properties. [23] X Research source It does not mean the eggs are bad or rotten after this date.
Look for the Julian date on the end of the carton. You’ll see the plant code (a letter P followed by numbers) indicated where the eggs were packaged, and beside it you should find the Julian code. [25] X Research source The European Union also requires that eggs are marked with a pack date. Even if eggs are sold loose and not in a marked carton, the consumer should have access to that information. [26] X Research source
To prevent temperature fluctuations, store your eggs in the coldest part of your refrigerator, not on the door. The temperature is more likely to fluctuate on the door when it is opening and closing, which may cause your eggs to sweat. If you receive your eggs unwashed and at room temperature, they do not need to be refrigerated. Many countries, including most European countries, keep their eggs at room temperature. [27] X Research source This is safe because eggs are laid with a protective “bloom” which naturally keeps bacteria out. Once the eggs are washed, however, they must be refrigerated. [28] X Expert Source Ollie George CiglianoPrivate Chef & Food Educator Expert Interview. 30 August 2021. Also, in most European countries, the hens have been inoculated against Salmonella prior to laying their eggs. [29] X Research source
If you’re not sure how long you’ve had your fresh eggs or if you think they are older than two months, learn the signs of bad and old eggs to help you decide whether or not you should use them in your cooking.
