Why Check Egg Freshness?
Eggs can go bad over time, and consuming spoiled eggs may lead to food poisoning. Fresh eggs not only taste better but are also safer to eat. Here are four reliable methods to check if your eggs are still good.
4 Methods to Test Egg Freshness
The Float Test
Fill a bowl with cold water and gently place the egg in it:
- Fresh egg: Sinks to bottom and lies flat
- Older but still good: Sinks but stands on one end
- Bad egg: Floats to the surface
This works because egg shells are porous and allow air to enter over time.
The Shake Test
Hold the egg close to your ear and shake it gently:
- Fresh egg: No sound or very slight movement
- Older but still good: Slight sloshing sound
- Bad egg: Distinct sloshing sound
As eggs age, the yolk and white shrink while the air cell expands.
The Crack Test
Crack the egg onto a flat plate and observe:
- Fresh egg: Firm yolk, thick white that doesn't spread much
- Older but still good: Yolk flattens, white spreads more
- Bad egg: Unpleasant smell, discolored yolk or white
This is the most reliable method but requires breaking the egg.
The Candling Test
Hold the egg against a bright light source in a dark room:
- Fresh egg: Small air cell (less than 1/8 inch)
- Older but still good: Larger air cell (up to 3/8 inch)
- Bad egg: Very large air cell, dark spots, or cloudy appearance
This method is traditionally used by egg producers to check quality.
Egg Storage Tips
Store eggs in their original carton in the coldest part of the refrigerator (not the door). The ideal temperature is below 40°F (4°C).
Fresh eggs can last 4-5 weeks in the refrigerator. Hard-boiled eggs should be eaten within 1 week.
Check the "pack date" or "expiration date" on the carton. In the US, eggs are graded AA, A, or B based on quality.
Older eggs are actually better for hard-boiling as they peel more easily. Fresh eggs are best for poaching and frying.