How to check if eggs are fresh?

@ahgong (10064)
Singapore
August 18, 2008 3:09am CST
We have all eaten eggs before. And we have all gone to the market to get some too. But have you ever wondered whether your eggs are fresh. Here's a handy way to tell QUOTED from some website [i]Place an egg at the bottom of a glass full of water and watch what happens: * If the egg lies at the bottom on its side, it's fresh. * If the egg sinks, but with one end up, it's getting old but is still edible. * If the egg floats at all, you should buy some fresh ones. This test is effective because eggshells are porous — over time they dry out, letting air in and moisture out. If you prefer using egg whites, then save some time and money by buying eggs in bulk and separating them right away. Egg whites freeze very well and can even be kept for up to three or four days, covered, in the refrigerator. [/i] The method mentioned above is good only if you have the eggs at home. And you left them in the fridge so long, you forgot when you bought them. That got me wondering, how do we check if eggs are fresh when we go shopping in the market? You cannot be taking a glass of water and dunking every egg you see right? If you actually managed to do that, I am sure you will be chased out of the store faster than you can blink. Imagine, dunking eggs wherever you go to ensure freshness before you buy them!
2 people like this
5 responses
@34momma (13882)
• United States
18 Aug 08
now that is some very usefull information. i didn't know that and now i will make sure to keep my eyes out for fresh eggs. and i will do the test. to make sure i am giving my family the best when it comes to eggs
@34momma (13882)
• United States
19 Aug 08
even more so when it comes to what they put into their bodies. health first
1 person likes this
@ahgong (10064)
• Singapore
20 Aug 08
Yep. Agree with you totally!
@ahgong (10064)
• Singapore
19 Aug 08
Ah... the ever conscientious momma! Yeah, I know what you mean. When it comes to your kids, it is always nothing less than the best you can give to them! And they will grow to appreciate it in time to come!
1 person likes this
@aseretdd (13730)
• Philippines
20 Aug 08
Thanks you for this information... eggs would usually stay in my fridge for a month... so i have no way of telling if they are still fresh or if i need to buy one from the grocery... there is usually an expiration date on the tray when i buy eggs... but i usually forget that particular date... but because of your info... i can just dunk the egg to determine if they are still edible or not...
@ahgong (10064)
• Singapore
20 Aug 08
it is good that this piece of information is useful to you. I too find it useful as sometimes, I do forget that I got eggs in the fridge. And I buy more to add to it. Then they all got mixed up. A pretty good test to check for the freshness of eggs. Heh heh heh...
@subha12 (18441)
• India
18 Aug 08
I think all these informations are right. its true that the rotten egg floats on the water.all these additional info are good to know.may be we have to believe the seller in market as can't carry glass of water
1 person likes this
@ahgong (10064)
• Singapore
18 Aug 08
That is what I do too. But most times, we get to choose the eggs if the seller is not too fussy. And when we get to choose, we would go by the weight of the eggs in the hand. If the shell feels dull to the touch, we let the egg go. If the shell feels tough, then it goes into the basket. Other than feel, I have no idea how else to check for freshness in the eggs.
@applefreak (3130)
• Singapore
18 Aug 08
that's great information, thanks for sharing. i've read about this somewhere but i totally forgot about how to do it. even if i can't do it at the market, i can do it at home. there are times when i'd stare at the eggs in my fridge as i can't remember when i bought them. it's especially troublesome when i need to cook a few eggs together. i'd have to beat them into one bowl, then transfer them to another bowl if it's fresh. this way i won't waste the good eggs by beating a bad egg into them. cheers ;p
@ahgong (10064)
• Singapore
19 Aug 08
Yeah... that was what I was thinking too. I have got bad eggs mixed with fresh ones before. And due to that, the whole bowl has to be thrown away! What a waste of the good eggs that were already in the bowl. So, if I ever forget when I bought my eggs, this is a good way to find out if they are fresh!
@LimoChang (193)
• China
18 Aug 08
Thanks,now I've learned something new.As for going to the market.It is said that you can shake the egg to listen to the sound.If there's sound of water,it's stale.It there's no sound,then the egg is fresh.Just tried a few times and it works out fine.
1 person likes this
@ahgong (10064)
• Singapore
19 Aug 08
I usually do not shake the eggs. Just feel the weight of the egg. If it is heavy, it is usually fresh. Rotten eggs then to be lighter than a fresh egg. I guess the same theory goes with the glass of water. Due to the lighter weight, it is able to float better.