How to tell if an egg is rotten. Checking the freshness of raw eggs in water at home

When purchasing eggs, the buyer runs the risk of purchasing a stale product. Poultry farms may not comply with the necessary storage conditions, thereby reducing shelf life. Also, the stamps may not correspond to reality, and in the case of domestic eggs, the reference point is completely lost. In such cases, it is necessary to be aware of various tricky techniques. One of them will be described in this article.

There are bacteria that can cause serious foodborne illness, and we may consume it without knowing it. Pathogenic bacteria are not visible to the naked eye, and we often do not perceive changes in the taste or smell of food. Due to this, we must be very careful when handling food.

A very common bacterium in eggs, poultry, ovaries, pets, among others, is salmonella. A person can also be a carrier of salmonella and not even know it. Another example of salmonella contamination can be cross-contamination. Cross contamination can happen through our hands or through the utensils or equipment we use.

At home, you can use a quick method that requires plain or salted water. Popularity of this method This is due to the fact that you won’t have to break anything, and everything will remain safe and sound for further use. Let's list what is required to check eggs for freshness:

  1. An ordinary glass of water with a capacity of a quarter liter, filled with cold water from the tap;
  2. The product itself that needs to be tested;
  3. Information on how to check the freshness of eggs in water.

Having lowered the product into a container of water, it will fall to the bottom and acquire a horizontal position. Does this determine whether it is fresh or rotten? Worth remembering forever - fresh!

For this you will need

This is the utensil you can see below. He parted with the egg and placed it on the dowel, where the peeling dripped through the dowel holes into the bowl. The dowel is designed to bend, but a cleaner separator is more effective. Salmonella is one of the most infectious bacteria. This is a common bacterium in the digestive tract of chickens, making it easier for eggshells to become contaminated. One way to get rid of salmonella is to cook your food very well.

How to check the freshness of a broken egg

Be careful when cooking eggs. If you have broken or cracked eggs, you should not bring a crate of eggs. You must inform the store clerk that there are broken eggs in the box; During the purchasing process, he should also observe whether the egg is old or new. The bark of an old egg is smoother and acquires a shine; Do not place a carton of eggs inside refrigeration equipment. Never forget to remove the expiration date from the eggs and place them nearby.

  • When purchasing eggs, you should check the expiration date and open the carton.
  • Card is a material that easily absorbs dirt or other contaminants.
The photos below show my eggs.

When checking, you wonder how this method determines whether an egg is spoiled? The fact is that its shell fits tightly to the membrane, and if the product is fresh, it is characterized by the absence of air inside.

Chicken egg expiration process

This happens due to the penetration of air through the pores of the shell, which facilitates the detachment of the membrane from it, thereby inflating the air sac. A similar process occurs gradually during storage. Significantly reduces shelf life product, improper storage and high temperature, which causes the development of bacteria. If, when dipping an egg into salt water, it floats on the surface, you should take note that it has already spoiled.


You should only remove eggs needed for cooking, because eggs that have been left in a warm environment and not used should not be returned to a cold environment; When cooking, do not place eggs near the heat of the stove; Eggs to be cooked must be washed before entering the cooking water; The eggs should be broken one by one in a separate container before adding to the rest. If one egg is damaged, it does not contaminate the others; A fresh egg has almost no odor when opened. Clear, transparent and translucent, is gelatinous and the gemstone is protruding. If the egg white is smooth and the egg yolk is flat, it is very likely that the egg is old or old. Vigorously shaking the egg, if it is out of date, a characteristic noise is heard; Eggs should be immediately placed in the trash; You should wash your hands thoroughly before and after using the eggs. You should dry your hands on rolling paper; Cookware or equipment that comes into contact with eggs should be washed very well. Place the egg in a container of salted water and note.

This homemade method will also help you know the degree of freshness, providing an additional guide. This will let the housewife know whether the product is fresh or not, and where to put it.

How to determine the freshness of eggs?

In the first week Since their existence, they are considered dietary, and can be used in the preparation of dishes that require a shelf life. If the eggs take a horizontal position in the water, then there is no doubt about their freshness. This product can be used to prepare any dishes.

The egg is about one week halfway upright; An old egg appears on the surface. If the egg is fresh, no sound is heard because the air chamber is small; If the egg is old, the air chamber becomes larger and there is more free space, which is what you hear when shaking. If the egg is fresh, it remains in the background. . Often the eggs at home have remains of excrement or straw. This situation can transmit salmonellosis. Don't wash eggs, this is because eggshells are porous and washing them pulls contaminants from the eggshell into the egg.

The period from a week can be determined by looking at the same vertical position. However, this time the blunt end floats to the surface a little, but the sharp end still touches the bottom. This period indicates that the product is only suitable for hard-boiling or making an omelet. If the period is two weeks, you should not expect scrambled eggs with an attractive appearance, because the white will lie flat on the frying pan, like a pancake.

In this situation, you should peel the egg with paper or a sponge and reserve it for cooking only, because only high temperatures will eliminate salmonella. These eggs should never be consumed raw. To be clear, domestic eggs are prohibited in the food and catering industries.

Also with homemade eggs, be careful to make them fried, reconstituted or scrambled, this may contain salmonella if the egg is contaminated. The egg is an organic body developed in the body of the so-called ovoid males. It consists of a shell containing white or albumin, yellow or vitell. The white, rich in proteins, is viscous, transparent and water-soluble: it bleaches when heated, the yellow contains the embryo, which after hatching gives rise to the chick.

Provided that the sharp end does not touch the bottom, while the blunt end remains in the center on the surface, it is worth talking about a two-week shelf life. The egg is suitable for consumption and is hard-boiled in ten minutes. It can also be added to salads. But there is a plus in this state of affairs: cleaning will happen much faster and will not be difficult.

Choose, Consume, Save Egg

The average weight of an egg is 60 g, but it can reach very different weights depending on the variety: a quail egg, with a beige shell, mottled with brown, weighs 20 g, and an ostrich egg weighs 1 kg. Egg Selection: Without mentioning the word egg, it refers to a chicken egg, and eggs such as quail, guinea fowl, goose, duck and lapwing are also sold. A fresh egg has a shiny and velvety shell. After a few days, "fresh" eggs become "fresh". A fifteen day old egg is perfectly edible as long as it is cooked.

If checking eggs for freshness ends up in a fully horizontal position, this indicates they are spoiled. Their decomposition process has already begun, which indicates the impossibility of consuming this product as food.

Now the reader is aware of how to check an egg for freshness in water. To extend the deadline validity It is recommended to do without washing before putting the product in the refrigerator, and check for freshness right before use. After all, eggshells are covered with pores, which maintain their shelf life, so as soon as they come into contact with water, the protective shell is washed off. Air penetrates faster, enlarging the air sac, and the product spoils.

Egg Consumption: Egg is a complete food, the preparations of which vary endlessly. Yellow is used for soups and sauces, beaten egg whites to stabilize desserts. Take them out of the refrigerator one hour before using them. Store Egg: Egg is easy to taste like other foods: keep it in the refrigerator in its compartment. Once broken, the egg cannot be stored: use white within 6 hours. An unused egg can wait 3 to 4 days unless it absconds.

Preparing, cooking and presenting the egg

To check its freshness: dip it in salted water: the egg of the day remains at the bottom, the less fresh it is and the more it rises to the surface. Prepare the egg: Place your fresh eggs in an airtight box with truffles or vanilla beans for a few days, they will smother themselves delicately.

A little about other ways to determine the freshness of eggs

An important issue is the rules for eating eggs. Costs pay special attention these tips:

One last bonus tip: take care of your stomach!

Prepare the egg: Never boil a preparation containing egg yolk: it will disintegrate. Cook the eggs in salted water and calculate the cooking time when the boil begins: 3 minutes for a boiled egg, 4 30 minutes for a veal, 10 minutes for a boiled egg.

Insert the egg: Use an egg cap to get a good cut through the shell. To shape hard boiled eggs, use pastry cutters. The origin of Easter eggs dates back to the establishment of Lent: the Church prohibited the consumption of eggs during these 40 days, then it was necessary to accumulate the eggs accumulated during this period as quickly as possible.

Surely every home has such a product as eggs. Many housewives, without hesitation, take this product from store shelves and place them in their refrigerator. But already during the cooking process, the most important question arises: how to check the freshness of eggs.

Egg

This product itself can be an independent dish, or it can serve as an ingredient. It is this ability that makes eggs such a unique and sought-after product. They can be boiled or fried, baked in the oven as an omelet or soufflé, or added to broth. With just eggs, sugar and flour you can bake a delicious sponge cake. The variety of recipes is amazing. There are several types of eggs that humans eat, but the most common are chicken and quail.

Eggs sold in stores must have a stamp with a code. This code is required for tracking. It starts with a number from 0 to 3, which represents the type of laying hen breeding system. What should I mention about the packaging? Packaging center authorization number. Eggs are sorted in the center of the package according to their quality and weight and are divided into different quality and weight classes. The quality class, namely “Class A” or the letter A, may or may not be accompanied by the word “fresh”. Weight class. Minimum retention date. Recommendation to keep eggs fresh after purchase.

Method of breeding, namely 'organic', 'outdoor breeding', 'farming' or 'animal welfare cage farming'. Manufacturer code explained. What about weight classes and eggs? Eggs are divided into different categories, especially based on their weight class: small, medium, large or extra large. The mention of "various sizes" on some packages means that the weight of the eggs is variable. Eggs offered for sale in stores must meet certain quality requirements established by law.

Before preparation, mandatory testing of this product is necessary. After all, it will not be very pleasant to eat spoiled eggs. There are several ways to check the freshness of eggs. It is worth considering each of them in detail. Only then will you choose the option that is right for you.

Shaking

It is worth noting that it is almost impossible to externally determine how long an egg has been stored. How to check the freshness of quail eggs? The same as chicken ones, for example, using shaking.

They cannot be sold in stores. If the packaging contains the words "extra" or "extra fresh", the eggs must have been laid less than 9 days before and were packed a maximum of 7 days before. Once these deadlines are exceeded, the trader must remove these links. What is the best way to preserve eggs?

The egg can be stored for approximately four weeks from the date of laying. It is recommended to keep eggs cool and away from light to maintain their freshness and reduce the risk of salmonella. Eggs lose freshness in one day when stored in the refrigerator for a week. It is best to keep them in the refrigerator in their original packaging. Odors can penetrate through the porous shell of eggs. Do not store them near foods with strong odors such as garlic or smoked fish. Also avoid contact with moisture, as bacteria can penetrate the shell and contaminate the egg.

Take the egg with two fingers and bring it to your ear. Move your hand and make several sharp swings. If you hear the characteristic sound of the yolk hitting the shell wall, it is better to avoid preparing this product.

Weighing

There is a way to check the freshness of eggs using a regular kitchen scale. If you initially know what the mass of the product was, then after weighing it after a certain time, you will see that it has become smaller. This happens due to the fact that during long-term storage, moisture escapes through the porous structure of the shell and the egg becomes much lighter.

Clean eggs last longer than eggs covered in dirt. Indeed, the egg shell is porous and can easily let bacteria through. If necessary, clean them with a cloth. Also, it is better to hold the eggs with the tips because this way the egg yolk stays in its place best. Eggs should be stored with the air chamber facing up, otherwise air will rise and the membrane will come off.

Some tips will help you check the freshness of an egg. During egg development, an air chamber appears between the inner membrane and the outer shell of the shell. This inner tube gets larger as the egg gets older. The following test is used to check the freshness of an egg: put an egg in a bowl filled with salt water, if it falls to the bottom of the bowl, then the egg is fresh. The older the egg, the more the egg will tend to rise to the surface. The egg white can also tell you about freshness.


Buoyancy

Perhaps the most popular testing method is to check the freshness of eggs in water.

In order to carry out this manipulation correctly, you will need a glass of clean water and a tablespoon of salt. Add the free-flowing substance to the liquid and wait until it dissolves. After this, carefully lower the product into the water. If the egg sinks to the bottom, feel free to eat it. If it completely rises to the surface, it means it has been stored for at least a month.

Established storage periods for eggs

If the egg is fresh, the egg white is stable. Gently shake the egg next to your ear; you will hear almost nothing. Do the same with a cooler and you'll hear the contents moving around. Turn the egg towards you to make sure it is raw or cooked. A fried egg will spin quickly, but a raw egg will stop spinning quickly.

During egg production, it sometimes happens that a small blood vessel in a chick's ovaries cracks, which may explain the small amount of blood in the egg. It is wrong to think that the egg is fertilized. A small trace of blood can be easily removed with a moistened spoon.

Using this method, you can both check the freshness of chicken eggs and decide on quail eggs.

Breaking

This method is only suitable if you need to cook a cracked egg. Open the shell and pour the contents onto a plate. It is desirable that it be black or dark in color. This will give you a better look at the squirrels.

In a fresh egg, the white is dense and completely surrounds the yolk, which rises beautifully and has an elastic consistency. If the inside of the egg is flimsy and sticky, you should stop cooking it.


Smell

Another popular method for determining the freshness of an egg is to check for odor.

In order to carry out this manipulation, you need to break a raw egg and just smell it. A good, unspoiled product has virtually no odor. If the egg is spoiled, you will notice a strong, unpleasant odor. It is better to simply throw away such a product.


In order for eggs to retain their freshness for as long as possible, they must be stored correctly. To do this, after purchasing, place them in the refrigerator in a special compartment. It is worth saying that the shell allows strong odors and various microbes to pass through quite well. That is why it is worth keeping this product away from others, especially those with a strong aroma. The required temperature for finding eggs is from five to ten degrees.

If stored properly, eggs can remain edible for several months. An opened egg must be stored in the refrigerator, pouring cold water over the yolk. It can remain in this state for up to two days. Protein tends to retain its freshness for up to two weeks. It is worth saying that when storing broken eggs, it is necessary to separate the white from the yolk so as not to damage the consistency of the latter. There is no need to fill the whites with water.

For longer storage of opened eggs, it is recommended to freeze them. In this form, they can remain edible for up to four months. The whites are frozen separately from the yolks and placed in a plastic or glass container.

Conclusion

Summarizing all of the above, we can conclude: how to check the freshness of eggs depends on the method of their preparation. Choose the method that suits you.

Be sure to check the quality and freshness of this product before eating, this will protect you from possible food poisoning.

Store eggs correctly - and then they will remain fresh for as long as possible.

Eggs are a product that can be found in any refrigerator. Have you ever had the experience of boiling eggs and noticing that they are spoiled? Or perhaps the packaging does not indicate the date by which the product must be consumed; is it possible to eat them at all or is it better to throw them in the trash? Identifying a spoiled egg is not difficult. In this article we will tell you how to determine that an egg has gone bad and how to determine that it can be consumed. If eggs have been sitting in your refrigerator for a very long time, you just need to determine whether they are fresh in order to avoid disastrous situations.

How to check for a rotten egg

What does expiration date mean? This is the period of time when the products are the freshest, most delicious, and are recommended for preparing culinary dishes. This does not mean at all that after this period has passed, the eggs have spoiled, they are simply inferior in taste to those that are fresher.


The manufacturer's code (letter and number) is indicated on the product.

In many countries, it is customary to indicate the packaging time on the eggs themselves. Because they can be sold individually without packaging. The manufacturer is obliged to inform about the expiration date.


To avoid temperature changes, the eggs should be in the coldest part of the refrigerator. The refrigerator door is absolutely not suitable for this, because this is where the temperature can fluctuate.

Do not put unwashed eggs that have been sitting on the counter in the refrigerator. In many countries, it is customary for eggs to be kept in kitchen cupboards; they are not placed in the refrigerator. Considering that the chickens receive all the necessary vaccinations, nothing will happen to the eggs in the cupboards.


If you don’t know whether the eggs in your refrigerator are fresh, or there are suspicions that they have been lying around for more than 1.5 months, you need to know the signs of rotten eggs, with which you can easily determine whether these eggs can be used in cooking .

How to spot a rotten egg


When a boiled egg has a greenish tint, it was cooked for too long or the water has an excessive concentration of iron. It can be eaten.

If you find blood spots in the egg, it can also be eaten, it is quite fresh. This does not in any way affect the taste of the egg itself.

How to tell if an egg is rotten or not


Ideally, if the egg is of good quality, it should be on its side in the glass.

If the egg is in a vertical position in the water, it was packed relatively long ago, but nevertheless it is still suitable for cooking.

An egg that is not fresh enough will not sink. It can still be used in culinary preparations. It needs to be broken into a bowl to determine if it is fresh, pay attention to the protein. Rule out the fact that it is spoiled by smell. An egg that should not be used is one with a strong odor.


A fresh egg will not make any sounds.

When there are any sounds in an egg, this does not mean that it cannot be eaten; such an egg is quite fresh.


In an egg that is far from fresh, the yolk will burst very quickly.

If it floats on the white, this is also an indicator that the egg is old and it is better not to use it for cooking.

Pay attention to the color of the protein itself. A white with a gray tint means that the egg is very fresh. A transparent white indicates that the egg is not very fresh, but you can eat it and it will not affect your health in any way.

  • The yolk should always be round; if it is flat, such an egg should never be consumed.
  • Do not store eggs together with other ingredients, because they will absorb odors in a very short period of time.
  • If the egg is cracked, it must be consumed within a short period of time.
  • Villagers extend the period of eating eggs by lubricating them with sunflower oil.

Be careful:

Children and the elderly are not recommended to eat eggs that have expired. You should not assume that eggs can be consumed for some time after the expiration date; you should definitely know how to check the eggs. Be careful not to harm yourself and your family. Always pay attention to the date of manufacture.

Sometimes even the most responsible housewife cannot remember how long chicken eggs have been in her refrigerator. A stale product can cause poisoning to the whole family, so be sure to check its suitability before cooking. The problem of expired products can occur not only in spontaneous markets, but also in supermarkets that have a well-known name.

Eggs contain vitamins, minerals, proteins, carbohydrates and fats, and amino acids. They occupy a place of honor not only in adults, but also in children’s diets. In terms of importance, they can be placed in second place after milk.

You should not start cooking until you are sure that the quality of the eggs is excellent. Don't forget that they may be sold out weeks before they hit the shelves. How to determine whether an egg is rotten or not?

  • Why are they useful?
  • How to check the quality?
  • How can you identify a rotten egg without breaking it?
  • How to store?
  • Reviews and comments

The protein of this product is completely absorbed by the human body. It is better to eat them boiled or fried. But raw ones can be dangerous if they contain an infection. They are rich in magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, iron, zinc and other useful elements.

They should definitely be eaten by people who are rarely exposed to the sun, because they contain a lot of vitamin D. It is simply irreplaceable for strengthening bones. Lecithin has a beneficial effect on liver function, brain activity, and strengthens the walls of blood vessels. Lutene improves vision, and choline prevents the development of cancer cells. Folic acid is essential if you are planning to become a mother.

The shell contains more than 30 trace elements, approximately 2 grams of calcium. It is useful to use in combination with lemon juice. Grind the shells, mix and add a teaspoon to food.

But to get all these benefits, you only need to eat a good, fresh, quality product.

How to check the quality?

How can you tell if an egg is rotten? Unfortunately, some unscrupulous consumers indicate the expiration date incorrectly. Therefore, the housewife must learn to determine the freshness of an egg “by eye.” Then it will be possible to avoid indigestion and other serious diseases that can only be treated in a hospital.

Rotten and fresh differ according to the following basic criteria:

  • A three-day product does not have an unpleasant odor, unlike a spoiled one;

  • If you shake a fresh egg, there will be no noise inside;
  • The contents are rotten if they do not sink in a container of water;
  • Unwind it - if it doesn’t stop for a long time, it means it’s been lying there for a long time.

The easiest way to recognize a rotten egg is to smell it. Stale has a characteristic smell that is difficult to confuse with any other. Another criterion is the yolk. It should not shake or knock against the walls. If you put it in the light, the yolk should be clearly visible. On a flat surface, rotten food will spin for a long time - this is another method that helps determine freshness.

Many people know how to identify a rotten egg by placing it in water. This method is based on the laws of physics. Fill a glass with two-thirds of the water and place the egg in it. If it is “not older than” 3 days, it will immediately drown in water. Week-old eggs will remain tilted, while rotten ones will float on the surface.

This is due to the fact that they are not airtight. Microorganisms can enter the pores that are present on the shell. If putrefactive processes have already begun, gases will be released that rise to the surface.

Of course, these methods cannot always be used in a store. The quality of the product is affected not only by weight, but also by the time when it was demolished. Eggs that are not yet three days old are assigned the highest grade. A week-old product is classified as the first grade, and a three-week-old product is classified as the second.

How can you identify a rotten egg without breaking it?

Its surface should be uniform, without cracks or chips. If the shell has a grayish tint and no shine, then it is already stale.

There is another verification method that will help the buyer in the supermarket determine the freshness of the product. You need to use an ovoscope - a special device for transillumination. When a dark yolk is immediately visible, and it is closer to the shell or sticks to it, darkening is visible, which means the product is “old”. Damaged ones are not visible at all. If you don't have a device, you can hold the product up to a light source and make sure there are no dark spots under the shell.

When you crack the egg, carefully examine the yolk.

In the fresh product it is tight and convex. If it is not fresh, the yolk will be flat and the white will be watery. Fresh ones are much more difficult to clean than old ones.

How to store?

They can be stored fresh for quite a long time, but no more than six weeks. They must be placed in the refrigerator separately from other products.

They absorb foreign odors very quickly. In addition, infections can enter through the pores if contaminated meat or fish is lying nearby. To close the pores, lubricate the shell with vegetable oil.

They need to be folded with the sharp “nose” down. Then the yolk will not affect the air layer, and will “settle” in the center. In this position, you can store in the refrigerator for up to five weeks. If the shell is cracked, they need to be eaten as quickly as possible.

Figuring out how to identify a rotten egg when boiling is not difficult. If it has already completely deteriorated, then an unpleasant odor will be felt immediately as soon as you pick it up. A rotten egg will differ from a normal egg when cooked. The protein will coagulate, and when it breaks, you will smell an unpleasant odor. Although the bacteria will die from high temperatures, you should not eat it - poisoning is inevitable.

As you can see, every housewife can check the quality of an egg without violating the integrity of its shell. We wish you more fresh, tasty and healthy dishes!

Eggs are a valuable source of nutrients, practically a storehouse of health. Despite certain restrictions, this product must be included in the human diet. It is extremely important to choose the right eggs, and to do this you need to know how to check eggs for freshness. Factory ones have markings that make the task easier. But what if you take a farm product or have store-bought eggs been stored in your refrigerator for a long time? Outwardly, quality or damage does not manifest itself in any way. However, there are several surefire ways to determine whether a product is edible.

How to choose?

A few simple secrets will allow you to understand how fresh the product is. It must be remembered that during long-term storage the egg begins to dry out. If the product has been standing on the display for a long time, then its inner part begins to separate from the shell. Before purchasing, you should shake the egg slightly to get an idea of ​​the consistency in the middle. If the product is not fresh, it will “lobble”.

You can also sometimes tell whether an egg is fresh by its appearance. If the chicken laid an egg recently, its shell will have a matte color. If the product has been on the shelf for a long time, the surface of the shell becomes glossy. When buying a product with a cassette backing, it is very important to look into the middle.

Sometimes sellers package fresh eggs with those that have already become unusable. Therefore, you should evaluate whether all eggs are the same color. However, unscrupulous sellers wash eggs. This shortens the shelf life, increases the risk of the product spoiling, and removes the glossy sheen that would indicate a long shelf life.

Pot of water

The simplest and most effective method to check the freshness of eggs is to use water. To do this, you need to fill the pan with water to approximately a level of 10 cm. Then an egg is placed in the water.

If the product is fresh enough, it will remain at the bottom. If it is stored for 1 week, it will rise to a vertical position. In this case, eggs can still be eaten, but it is better not to use them for children's menus. If the egg floats to the surface and floats perfectly on the water, then it is stale. It is better to dispose of it so as not to endanger the health of loved ones.

Breaking an egg

It is easy to check eggs for freshness directly during cooking. To be on the safe side and not spoil the main dish, it is better to break the eggs over a separate container. If it’s fresh, throw it away; if it’s spoiled, throw it in the trash. A rotten egg will give off a strong characteristic odor and dark color of the contents.

A stale but still edible egg will have a flat yolk and a liquid white like water. The fresh product has a convex yolk, and the white is quite dense, well collected at the core and there is a lot of it, it pours out easily. If the egg has been stored for a long time and begins to dry out, the white will thicken and decrease in volume.

Advice! If an egg from the store or refrigerator arrives with a crack, do not rush to throw it away. Wash it with soap more carefully than the whole one. And then cook at a fairly high temperature until the whites and yolks are completely coagulated. Most dangerous bacteria are neutralized, for example, salmonella is killed at 70° C. To completely disinfect eggs, eggs should be boiled for at least 5 minutes.

By smell

If the eggs were not stored in polyethylene, then their freshness can be assessed by smell without breaking them. The shell has many pores and therefore actively absorbs foreign odors. It’s easy to guess from them if the product is lying on the shelves. A fresh egg has a smell similar to lime.

A broken egg will instantly reveal all its secrets. Even a slight smell of rotten meat means that the product must be disposed of immediately. This method is effective for both chicken and quail eggs.

Advice! If the egg is cracked, you can still hard boil it. To do this, you need to add more salt to the water: 2 tsp. for each egg.

By cooking

There is no point in boiling rotten eggs; they cannot be eaten! But if the product is not spoiled and cooked by peeling, it is easy to understand whether the egg is fresh or not. The “older” the product, the easier the shell comes off. In fresh it will be quite difficult to separate from the protein. In this case, the thin film between the shell and the egg is held quite tightly.

By temperature

This method, like the previous one, is convenient only at home. Purchased eggs should be washed under running water at room temperature and wiped dry. Then touch the blunt and sharp part of the egg with your tongue.

If the product is fresh, its poles will differ in temperature: the blunt end will be warmer than the sharp one. If the egg cannot qualify for the “D” (dietary) label, the poles will be the same in temperature.

The resource “Womenburg.ru” strongly recommends that when purchasing raw eggs, pay attention to the packaging date and expiration date indicated on the packaging. They will tell you with maximum accuracy about the freshness and quality of the product, if the storage conditions have not been violated.

It is quite important not only to determine the freshness of the product, but also to store it correctly:

  1. Try to use the product before the expiration date has expired. The information on the packaging will help you determine how much it costs to keep the product in the refrigerator.
  2. Never wash eggs for storage. The shell is covered with a thin protective film; if it is removed, the product will deteriorate very quickly. You need to wash eggs before cooking.
  3. It is better to store the product in the refrigerator at a temperature of 6 degrees. It is these conditions that prevent the development of salmonella.
  4. Unfortunately, if the eggs were stored at room temperature (which many sellers are guilty of), then it will not be possible to disinfect them by moving them to the refrigerator. At the very least, the proliferation of the pathogenic microorganism will slow down or stop.

Using one of the above methods, it is quite easy to understand whether an egg can be eaten. The product will be safe for health only if the storage and preparation conditions are not violated.

The benefits of eggs cannot be overestimated. They are rich in protein, amino acids, minerals, vitamins B, A and E. However, this product is useful if it is fresh. Once the expiration date expires, it becomes dangerous to consume. Let's learn how to determine the freshness of eggs using simple methods.

Shelf life

First, let's look at what period of storage of eggs is considered the most optimal. It is recommended to keep the product at a temperature not lower than +4 °C and not higher than +24 °C, preferably in the refrigerator. Eggs do not need to be washed or processed in any way before storing. In this case, they remain good for about 3-4 weeks. If you pre-washed the eggs, it is recommended to cook them within 4 days.

If you break the shell on the way home, store the white and yolk separately for no more than 4 days. It is best to use broken eggs within 1-2 days. After preparation, the product remains good for about 1 week.

Popular verification methods

The fastest method to determine the freshness of eggs is visual and tactile assessment. The shell should be hard and smooth. Its surface is matte and dry, with a pleasant uniform shade. Once the product begins to deteriorate, the shell becomes dull and soft to the touch. Its color is dark and uneven. The surface acquires a specific shine.

You can also hold the egg near a bright light source. If the product is spoiled, a characteristic darkening is observed in its center. If the egg gives off a distinct rotten odor, throw it away without hesitation.

A fresh chicken or quail egg weighs more than a spoiled one.

Another method is suitable if you need eggs to prepare some dish. Break the shell and pour the contents onto a saucer. The freshness of the product is indicated by the following signs: the dense white practically does not spread over the surface, and the round yolk rises significantly. There is no pungent odor. If the shelf life is running out, the protein is quite liquid and quickly spreads, filling the entire bottom of the saucer. The yolk does not hold its round shape.

You can determine the freshness of eggs using a container of water. If the product sinks and lies at the bottom, it means it is fresh. The egg, which is stored for 2 weeks, is placed with the sharp end down and the blunt end up. Although it is not the first freshness, it can still be consumed. If the egg floats on the surface of the water, it means it is spoiled. It's best to throw it away. This is explained by the fact that over time, air accumulates under the shell, which pushes the egg to the surface of the water. This method is effective provided that the shell is intact and intact.

If you don't have time to experiment, just shake the egg. Grasp it with your index finger and thumb.

If you feel the yolk moving inside when shaking, the product is no longer fresh. To make sure of this, visually evaluate the white and yolk on the saucer.

The freshness of quail eggs also needs to be checked. There is a very simple way to do this. Weigh them on an electronic scale. A fresh egg weighs about 20 g, a rotten one - 5 g. This difference is due to a chemical process, as a result of which air accumulates under the shell instead of a liquid mass. These changes occur inside the egg after a certain period of time. Of course, approximate figures are given. They may vary slightly. The lower the weight of the egg, the longer it will last in the refrigerator.

The danger of spoiled eggs

Often, housewives immediately break eggs into a dish during cooking, forgetting to check their freshness first. And only then do they notice a pronounced greenish color and a specific rotten smell. As a result, many products have to be thrown away at once. Of course, it’s unpleasant when effort and money are wasted. But on the other side of the scale there is a huge danger of harming your health and that of your family by consuming a spoiled product.

Many people think that if eggs have only been in the refrigerator for a few days, they must be fresh. However, remember that you can bring an already spoiled product from the market or store. To prevent this, pay attention to the expiration date indicated on the packaging. Also, always check the freshness of your eggs using one of the methods listed above.

Good afternoon, site guests and regular readers. Today we will talk about ways to check eggs for freshness - is it a rotten egg or not? Eggs are a source of protein, vitamin A and riboflavin; some nutritionists claim that this product can lower cholesterol levels.

The ingredient is often used in baking, for making batter and omelettes, fried, baked, boiled, or eaten raw. give us the most dietary product!

A rotten or simply spoiled egg that does not yet have a characteristic odor can cause severe food poisoning. Low-quality products are found both on the market and in large supermarkets, so you need to know how to determine the freshness of the purchased product.

Diet egg - up to 7 days of proper storage - is the freshest for nutrition.

If the egg is an ingredient in baking or just a dish for frying, before using it, you need to break it onto a flat plate and look closely.

  • In fresh specimens, the yolk looks like a ball or oval around which the white collects.
  • The transparent liquid has an elastic consistency and sometimes has a greenish or yellowish tint caused by the presence of carbon dioxide. But such a product can be safely consumed.
  • A yolk that has sunk almost to the bottom of the plate indicates that the egg is nearing the end of its shelf life. The ingredient should only be used when the protein is transparent and gathers around an oval base.
  • It is necessary to throw away the component if the yolk has literally spread across the plate, although its shell is not damaged, and the white looks more like water with an unpleasant odor.

How to check eggs for freshness video

Swimming lessons

How to check eggs for freshness in water? A product that needs to be cooked without breaking can be tested using a bowl of water. There must be a lot of liquid so that the egg can be distinguished: the egg sank to the bottom or floated to the surface.

Fresh ingredients usually fall like a stone and don't move. Ingredients that are a little over a week old also sit snugly at the bottom of the container, but the blunt end lifts up slightly.


Eggs that are 2-3 weeks old take on a vertical position, with the sharp end pointing down. They are still suitable for consumption, but preferably after careful heat treatment.

A product that has completely floated to the surface of the bowl should be thrown away without regret, because it is definitely spoiled.

This method works because over time, liquid and carbon dioxide evaporate from the chicken ingredient, but the concentration of oxygen increases, which pushes the egg out of the water.


Shake and listen

In the store you cannot test the products with water, and in order not to buy a dozen rotten copies, experts advise holding each one to your ear, then shaking it, and listening.

If you don’t hear anything and your hand doesn’t feel the yolk hitting the yolk, you can take the component. But eggs that make a squelching sound should be returned to their place, because they are not suitable for consumption.


Identify by color or smell

Some people claim that spoiled chicken product has a specific aroma that comes from the shell. But this statement will be correct for rotten copies that have been too long on store shelves.

Others claim that fresh eggs have a matte shell, with an even color without spots or inclusions, while the coating of old eggs acquires a bluish tint and becomes shiny.


Light and temperature will reveal the truth

In good lighting, the product is worth looking at in the sun: if the yolk is clearly visible and floats exactly in the middle, you can safely buy it. In rotten components, the yellow filling is closer to the shell, sometimes sticks to it, and is difficult to see.

There are suggestions to try the blunt and sharp ends with your tongue: if the first is warmer than the second, the ingredient is fresh. For missing eggs, both sides are the same temperature.

The method is very dubious, because it is quite difficult to record the difference without a thermometer. Additionally, there are risks of licking off some bacteria, or even tasting salmonella.

Marking to help

How to check eggs for freshness? The highest grade category includes “young” dietary eggs that are no more than a week old. The first indicates that the product is from 7 to 14 days old, the third indicates that the chicken ingredient will soon become unfit for consumption.

Sometimes eggs are divided into dietary and table eggs, which can be seen on the blue markings. Some varieties are marked with the date when exactly they were demolished. Therefore, when purchasing a product, you need to carefully inspect it and read the relevant labels.


You can check the freshness of a boiled egg only by breaking the shell, because they successfully pass the water and shaking tests. The approximate shelf life of such varieties is about a week, provided that the shell remains intact.

Blood spots are just pieces of blood that got into the egg from a burst capillary at the time of formation. They are a kind of guarantee of freshness, because over time they dissolve in the protein.

How to check whether a quail egg is rotten or not

We told you how to check eggs for freshness at home using water and ovoscopy. Watch the video, let’s just say it’s disgusting!

What does a rotten egg taste like?

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The first thing you need to pay attention to is the egg shell. Examine it carefully; if the egg is fresh, then its shell is hard, matte, and there are no spreading spots of a suspicious greenish or brownish color. If the shell is soft, the egg is definitely rotten; if it is stained, most likely harmful microflora, such as mold, have grown under the shell. Please ensure that there are no cracks in the shell; unfavorable environments can penetrate through them and the egg will deteriorate faster.

Step 2

The next step in checking the freshness of an egg is to candling it. In a self-respecting store you can find a special device - an ovoscope. This is a special metal round box with cells for eggs with a built-in lamp at the bottom. A fresh egg shines through in the light and should not have dark spots. When shined through, the air chamber is visible (see photo to the previous step). In a fresh egg it is small; if the egg has been sitting for a long time, the air bubble increases.

Step 3

If the eggs have been sitting in the refrigerator and the previously purchased and later ones are mixed up, or you were unable to use an ovoscope in the store, you can easily check the freshness of the egg at home by lowering it into water. If the egg is submerged, it is firm and fresh. If it floats to the surface, then this egg is no longer useful for food - it is rotten. To avoid accidentally adding such an egg to scrambled eggs, it is better to check the eggs before cooking.

Step 4

And one more way to determine the freshness of an egg that is not yet rotten, but is no longer fresh. When you carefully break the egg, the yolk should be uniform in color, convex and whole. If the yolk is too pale, has whitish inclusions and is flat, then the egg is already old and its nutritional value has suffered greatly.

Eggs are a product necessary for our life. In addition, they are suppliers of protein to our body, and with them we are definitely not in danger of feeling hungry. But often, when buying this product in a store, we think about how to check the freshness of eggs.
There are several ways to determine the freshness of eggs.

1. Shaking.

With this method, you can determine whether the egg is suitable for consumption or not. If the egg dangles inside, it means the product is spoiled. But it is impossible to determine how many days an egg is in this way.

2. Visual.

We can recommend one more way to check freshness; they tend to change their appearance depending on age. Eggs that have been laid recently have a matte finish. But an egg that has been sitting for a while takes on a bluish tint to the shell. In addition, the surface becomes shiny. Therefore, look carefully, and all the secrets of “egg life” will be revealed to you.

3. Curious naturalist, or thermal.

Here you just need to measure the temperature of the egg. Of course, you don’t have a thermometer, so you need to rely on the means at hand, namely your tongue. You need to attach the egg to it first with the blunt end and then with the sharp end. Did you feel the difference? This means that the egg in front of you is fresh. Experts say that the blunt end of a fresh egg is warmer than the sharp end. An egg of questionable quality has both ends at the same temperature.

4. Dietary.

The sale of eggs can also tell a lot about the freshness of this product. All eggs are divided into table and dietary. Dietary eggs include eggs that were laid no later than seven days. They are usually marked with the date of marking. Table eggs are those that were born seven to 25 days ago. They are marked with blue paint and there is no date. Once you get home, you should check your research to be completely sure of the quality of this product.

5. Scientific and technical.

It is necessary to illuminate the eggs with ultraviolet rays. A fresh egg is red. The older the egg, the duller this color becomes, turning into lavender. No ultraviolet? Then check without it. Just look at the light. The older the egg, the more dark spots it has. And a rotten egg is not visible at all.

6. Immersion.

One of the most is a solution that talks about how to check the freshness of eggs. Make an 8% solution of ordinary salt and immerse the egg in it. If the egg lies at the bottom, it is up to 6 days old. If the blunt end rises upward at an angle of 45 degrees, then it is up to ten days old. If standing vertically, the egg is 11-12. If it floats in solution, the age can reach 17 days. If a blunt end protrudes from the water to the surface, it means the egg is more than 17 days old.

7. The last frontier.

Cleaning is perhaps the most basic way to check the freshness of eggs. Fresh eggs are much harder to clean.

8. Measuring.

We check the air chamber, which is located inside the egg. For fresh ones, it should be no more than one centimeter. If the life of the egg is quite long, then the chamber will be larger, since the egg begins to dry out, and the space vacated as a result of this is filled with air.

9. Final.

Usually when fresh it forms a high ring above the yolk. Although this method cannot be called unambiguous. There is another sign: if the white is too runny and the yolk is close to the shell, it means the egg is old.

Sometimes even the most responsible housewife cannot remember how long chicken eggs have been in her refrigerator. A stale product can cause poisoning to the whole family, so be sure to check its suitability before cooking. The problem of expired products can occur not only in spontaneous markets, but also in supermarkets that have a well-known name.

Eggs contain vitamins, minerals, proteins, carbohydrates and fats, and amino acids. They occupy a place of honor not only in adults, but also in children’s diets. In terms of importance, they can be placed in second place after milk.

You should not start cooking until you are sure that the quality of the eggs is excellent. Don't forget that they may be sold out weeks before they hit the shelves. How to determine whether an egg is rotten or not?

Why are they useful?

The protein of this product is completely absorbed by the human body. It is better to eat them boiled or fried. But raw ones can be dangerous if they contain an infection. They are rich in magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, iron, zinc and other useful elements.

They should definitely be eaten by people who are rarely exposed to the sun, because they contain a lot of vitamin D. It is simply irreplaceable for strengthening bones. Lecithin has a beneficial effect on liver function, brain activity, and strengthens the walls of blood vessels. Lutene improves vision, and choline prevents the development of cancer cells. Folic acid is essential if you are planning to become a mother.

The shell contains more than 30 trace elements, approximately 2 grams of calcium. It is useful to use in combination with lemon juice. Grind the shells, mix and add a teaspoon to food.

But to get all these benefits, you only need to eat a good, fresh, quality product.

How to check the quality?

How can you tell if an egg is rotten? Unfortunately, some unscrupulous consumers indicate the expiration date incorrectly. Therefore, the housewife must learn to determine the freshness of an egg “by eye”. Then it will be possible to avoid indigestion and other serious diseases that can only be treated in a hospital.

Rotten and fresh differ according to the following basic criteria:

  • A three-day product does not have an unpleasant odor, unlike a spoiled one;
  • If you shake a fresh egg, there will be no noise inside;
  • The contents are rotten if they do not sink in a container of water;
  • Unwind it - if it doesn’t stop for a long time, it means it’s been lying there for a long time.

The easiest way to recognize a rotten egg is to smell it. Stale has a characteristic smell that is difficult to confuse with any other. Another criterion is the yolk. It should not shake or knock against the walls. If you put it in the light, the yolk should be clearly visible. On a flat surface, rotten food will spin for a long time - this is another method that helps determine freshness.

Many people know how to identify a rotten egg by placing it in water. This method is based on the laws of physics. Fill a glass with two-thirds of the water and place the egg in it. If it is “not older than” 3 days, it will immediately drown in water. Week-old eggs will remain tilted, while rotten ones will float on the surface.

This is due to the fact that they are not airtight. Microorganisms can enter the pores that are present on the shell. If putrefactive processes have already begun, gases will be released that rise to the surface.

Of course, these methods cannot always be used in a store. The quality of the product is affected not only by weight, but also by the time when it was demolished. Eggs that are not yet three days old are assigned the highest grade. A week-old product is classified as the first grade, and a three-week-old product is classified as the second.

How can you identify a rotten egg without breaking it?

Its surface should be uniform, without cracks or chips. If the shell has a grayish tint and no shine, then it is already stale.

There is another verification method that will help the buyer in the supermarket determine the freshness of the product. You need to use an ovoscope - a special device for transillumination. When a dark yolk is immediately visible and it is closer to the shell or sticks to it, darkening is visible, which means the product is “old”. Damaged ones are not visible at all. If you don't have a device, you can hold the product up to a light source and make sure there are no dark spots under the shell.

When you crack the egg, carefully examine the yolk. In the fresh product it is tight and convex. If it is not fresh, the yolk will be flat and the white will be watery. Fresh ones are much more difficult to clean than old ones.

How to store?

They can be stored fresh for quite a long time, but no more than six weeks. They must be placed in the refrigerator separately from other products.

They absorb foreign odors very quickly. In addition, infections can enter through the pores if contaminated meat or fish is lying nearby. To close the pores, lubricate the shell with vegetable oil.

They need to be folded with the sharp “nose” down. Then the yolk will not affect the air layer, and will “settle” in the center. In this position, you can store in the refrigerator for up to five weeks. If the shell is cracked, they need to be eaten as quickly as possible.

Figuring out how to identify a rotten egg when boiling is not difficult. If it has already completely deteriorated, then an unpleasant odor will be felt immediately as soon as you pick it up. A rotten egg will differ from a normal egg when cooked. The protein will coagulate, and when it breaks, you will smell an unpleasant odor. Although the bacteria will die from high temperatures, you should not eat it - poisoning is inevitable.

As you can see, every housewife can check the quality of an egg without violating the integrity of its shell. We wish you more fresh, tasty and healthy dishes!

Egg is a product that is used very often. But many people don't know how to identify a rotten egg. In this article we will teach you how to do this.

Every week you bring home huge bags with a variety of products presented on the shelves of markets and supermarkets. On the one hand, this makes your life much easier, but on the other hand, it complicates it, because not everyone can constantly keep in mind the expiration date of all this gastronomic diversity. We are sure that you are not sure how long these products will last, and this problem is familiar to many first-hand.

This is especially true for eggs. Despite the fact that this is a very delicate product, its appearance does not change over time, and therefore it is almost impossible to determine the freshness of an egg by eye. Of course, it’s no secret that you can break an egg and try to determine its freshness by smell, but there are other ways. Here are some ways to check the freshness of eggs:

1. Inspect the shell

The shell of fresh eggs is slightly rough and matte. For those that have deteriorated, it will be smooth to the touch and shine in the light. If the shell is soft or stained, the egg is rotten.

2. Shake

Lightly shake the egg in your hand. If you feel that the protein inside is hanging out, then it is rotten.

3. Check the egg with a lamp

To check the freshness of an egg, hold it up to a strong light source. Dark spots that appear under the shell will indicate that the product is spoiled.

4. Twist

Place the egg on a flat surface and make it rotate. The rotten one will rotate around its axis more times than the fresh one. Unfortunately, this method can only be used by those who have already rotated eggs before.

5. Check the white and yolk

Break one of the eggs and pay attention to the condition of the yolk and white. If the yolk is convex and the white is viscous and tightly gathered around the yolk, the egg is very fresh. However, if the yolk is flat and the white is runny, this is a sign of a stale egg.

6. Submerge the eggs in water

Place the eggs in a deep container with cold water. If they remain lying on the bottom in a horizontal position, then they are very fresh. Eggs, slightly raised at an obtuse angle upward, are no longer fresh, but can still be used in preparing hot dishes. Eggs that float to the surface are spoiled and cannot be eaten! We recommend that you get rid of them as soon as possible.

Eggs float to the surface because over time, the moisture inside evaporates through the shell and the resulting “free” space is replaced by air. The more air inside the egg, the higher it floats. And, of course, the older it is.

Eat fresh food and stay healthy.

Sometimes chicken eggs linger in the refrigerator for quite a long time, and it is difficult to remember how long they have been there. A week? Month? A few years? In order to protect yourself and your family from poisoning and a subsequent trip by ambulance to the hospital, you need to check the freshness and suitability of each egg before consumption. So, how to check the freshness of eggs?

First way:

Take the egg in your hand and shake it, but not too hard. If it is fresh, then there will be almost no shaking inside the shell, otherwise, that is, if the egg has been in your refrigerator for a long time, its internal contents will gurgle inside, and you will feel it.

Second way:

Also in order to check whether the egg is rotten or not, you can use plain water. Place some cool water in a saucepan, large glass, or similar and place the eggs in it. If they are fresh, they will remain at the bottom in a horizontal position. If they are in the refrigerator for a week, they will lie in the water at a slight angle. Completely stale eggs will float to the surface. This phenomenon is explained by the fact that the longer the egg lies, the more air accumulates in it (yes, yes, air even passes through the shell, eggs are not airtight). Accordingly, stale chicken eggs draw air to the surface. This process is depicted in more detail in the figure below.

Third way:

The freshness of an egg can be quite easily determined externally. The color tone of fresh eggs is even, the shell is clean and even slightly shiny. Stale eggs become dull and acquire a gray tint.

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