How a Toothpick Can Save You from Eating Bad Eggs!

The best food ingredient is eggs
How to pick out spoiled eggs

Do you know the most commonly purchased ingredient at the grocery store? Well, we confidently have an answer for you: eggs!

Whether you’re boiling them for a quick snack, frying them up in a flash, or adding them to a steaming bowl of ramen, eggs are the real MVP of your kitchen. They just make everything taste better, don’t they?

But here’s the catch. When you stock up on eggs in your fridge, you might lose track of their expiration dates, and that’s a reality check we all need.

First, let’s find out about eggs’ shelf life and expiration date.

Shelf Life of Eggs: 20 days
Expiration Date of Eggs: +25 days

We’ve covered this topic once before, but it’s worth repeating: there’s a significant difference between the expiration date and the product’s shelf life. Typically, the expiration date on a product’s packaging refers to the “shelf life,” which is how long the item can be sold in stores.

On the other hand, the “expiration date” is the safe-to-consume date, provided you’ve stored the food as directed. So, if the shelf life of something you bought at the store ends today, but the expiration date is +7 days, it means you can enjoy it for another week!

However, even with that knowledge, sometimes we get a bit anxious if there’s not much time left until the expiration date or if we haven’t stored the item correctly.

Now, let’s explore how to check if your eggs have gone bad at home quickly.

Method 1: Float Test

Accuracy ★★★☆☆

This method allows you to check the freshness of an egg without cracking it open. Simply place the egg in a bowl of saltwater.

As eggs age, they develop an air pocket inside, making them buoyant. The more they float in the saltwater, the older and less fresh they are.

Method 2: Crack the Egg

Accuracy ★★★★☆

Cracking an egg open may require a bit more effort than the float test, but it provides a more accurate assessment. This method is recommended right before cooking.

A fresh egg will have a distinct separation between the egg white and the yolk. The yolk should stand tall and rounded. If it’s flat and spreads easily, it’s no longer fresh.

Method 3: Use a Toothpick

Accuracy ★★★★★

Now, let’s talk about a method with even higher accuracy. For this one, you’ll need a toothpick. It’s a technique frequently used by quality assessment agencies, so pay close attention!

When you insert a toothpick into the egg, a fresh egg will hold the toothpick firmly without the yolk breaking. In contrast, a rotten egg will allow the toothpick to sink and break through quickly. If multiple toothpicks are required to hold up the yolk, it’s a good sign of freshness.

In practice, we compared eggs purchased in July with recently bought ones using this method, which proved to be the most reliable. While fresh eggs held one or two toothpicks easily, eggs from July sank quickly.

Method 4: Shake Your Egg

Accuracy ★★★☆☆

Lastly, here’s a way to determine freshness without cracking the egg. Keep in mind that cracking the egg is still the more reliable method!

This method involves shaking the egg near your ear. Hearing the egg’s contents moving around freely is a sign that the egg has gone bad. In such cases, it’s best not to consume it.

So, there you have it! Various methods are used to check the freshness of your eggs, each with its own accuracy and ease. Depending on your situation, you can choose the one that suits you best.

Oh, one more bonus tip: You can also check the egg’s production date by looking at the numbers and letters on the top of the egg. For example, if it says “0524MM37J4,” it means the egg was laid on May 24th.

With these handy tips from Salimbro, you can confidently assess the freshness of your eggs and enjoy them without any worries. That’s a wrap for today! Goodbye!

By. Hwang Jin-ha (pikle@fastviewkorea.com)