How To Know If An Egg Has Gone Bad – Easily Test Egg Freshness

Do you know how to tell if an egg has gone bad? Knowing how to test egg freshness is a critical part of learning how to take care of chickens.

Have you ever cracked open an egg, only to question its freshness? Knowing how to determine an egg’s quality is an essential skill for anyone who spends time in the kitchen. This is especially true for those who raise backyard chickens and sometimes find eggs they don’t know the age of.

This guide will demystify the process and show you simple, practical steps to easily test egg freshness before you use them in your cooking or baking, ensuring you always produce delicious and safe meals.

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How Long Do Farm Fresh Eggs Last On The Counter?

Farm fresh eggs can remain fresh for a surprisingly long time when stored properly.

While the official guidelines are that unwashed, farm fresh eggs can last on the counter for 2-3 weeks, under ideal conditions, we have had fresh eggs that have not been washed stay fresh for 8-12 weeks when kept at room temperature.

However, refrigeration can significantly extend this period.

How Long Do Farm Fresh Eggs Last In The Fridge?

When refrigerated, unwashed, farm fresh eggs can last for about five months or more. This is due to the fact that lower temperatures slow down the growth of bacteria, making refrigeration the most effective method for preserving raw eggs.

However good eggs are, it’s important to remember that storage conditions play a massive role in how long your eggs will maintain their freshness. And of course, this kind of longevity is only applied to eggs that have not been washed.

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When an egg is laid, it comes with a protective bloom that helps keep bacteria from getting to the unborn chick. This bloom is very effective and will keep your eggs fresh for quite a long time! However, once your eggs get wet (either from being washed or from being in the rain, snow, or other moist conditions) that bloom washes off and your countdown significantly decreases.

Once your eggs have been washed, they must be kept in the fridge and eaten within 4 weeks or less. Either way, refrigerated eggs will last much longer than countertop eggs, whether they’ve been washed or not!

What Is The Egg Floating Test Or The Water Test?

The egg floating test,or the water test, is the easiest way to check and see if an egg is good or bad. This test works for farm fresh, storebought, washed, and unwashed eggs alike!

You can tell if an egg has gone bad by carrying out the simple “float test”. Fill a bowl with water and carefully place the egg inside. If the egg sinks and lies flat on its side, it is fresh. If it stands upright on the bottom or floats, it is no longer fresh. This test works because as an egg ages, the size of the air cell inside increases, causing it to float.

Instructions For Using The Water Test for Egg Freshness

One of the easiest ways to test for egg freshness is the water test. This method requires nothing but a bowl of water. Here’s how to do it:

1. Fill a bowl or glass with enough water to completely submerge an egg.
2. Gently place the egg into the water.

The freshness of the egg can be determined by observing its behavior in the water:

• If the egg sinks and lays flat on its side, it’s fresh. This is because fresh eggs have less air in them, so they sink to the bottom.
• If the egg sinks but then stands upright on the bottom, it’s still safe to eat but should be used soon, or hard-boiled. As an egg ages, the size of the air pocket or air cell inside increases, causing it to stand upright.
• If the egg floats, it’s no longer fresh and should be discarded. The floating is caused by the increase in size of the air cell inside the egg along with the breakdown of proteins and other materials within.

Please note that while the water test is a strong indicator of an egg’s freshness, it’s not infallible. If you’re ever in doubt about an egg, crack it open into a bowl and check for any off odors or unusual appearance before use.

Will A Bad Egg Float Or Sink?

When it comes to the question of whether a bad egg will float or sink, the answer is that a bad egg will most likely float. As an egg ages, the size of the air cell within it grows due to the evaporation of water and the breakdown of proteins, making the egg increasingly buoyant. This is why older eggs will stand upright or even float when placed in a bowl of water. Remember, in general, floating eggs are bad and sinking eggs are good.

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However, it’s critical to note that this method isn’t 100% foolproof. An egg can float because it’s old, but it can also float if it’s infected with bacteria that produce gas, like Salmonella. This bacterial growth can be present even in fresh eggs and can give you a nasty case of food poisoning which can result in a serious illness. So, while a floating egg is a strong sign that it’s past its prime, not all eggs that float are bad, and not all bad eggs will float.

For this reason, the float test should be used as an initial gauge of freshness, but it should not be the sole determinant of whether an egg is safe to eat or not. If the egg floats but doesn’t smell bad or have an unusual appearance, it might still be okay. But if it floats and something seems off when you crack it open — it smells foul, the egg yolk itself is discolored, or the egg white is excessively runny — it’s best to err on the side of caution and discard the egg.

Remember, your health is more important than saving an egg. If you’re ever in doubt, it’s better to be safe and throw the rotten egg away.

3 More Ways To Tell If An Egg Has Gone Bad

Apart from the water test, there are other ways to check if an egg has gone bad. Here are a few additional methods you can use to ensure you’re using fresh eggs:

Egg White Consistency

The consistency of the egg white, or albumen, can provide important clues about an egg’s freshness. A fresh egg will have a thick, cloudy white that doesn’t spread much when cracked open. This is because a freshly laid egg contains a high amount of carbon dioxide and low amount of air, making the egg white appear cloudy and thick.

As the egg begins to age, the carbon dioxide escapes and is replaced by air. This process increases the pH level of the egg, causing the egg white to become thinner and more transparent. If you crack open an egg and the white is watery and spreads easily, it’s likely that the egg is no longer fresh.

However, it’s important to note that while the consistency of the egg white can give you an idea of the egg’s freshness, it doesn’t necessarily indicate if the egg is safe to eat. An egg with a thin white could still be safe to eat, but it might not perform as well in certain recipes that require fresh eggs, such as poached eggs or meringues. As always, if in doubt, discard the egg.

The Smell Test

Another reliable way to tell if an egg has gone bad is by using your nose. Fresh eggs have a neutral smell, while bad eggs often have a distinct, unpleasant odor. It will be an almost sulfuric smell. Crack the egg onto a clean, white plate and smell it. If it smells like sulfur or something foul, it’s best to throw it out.

These methods can give you a pretty accurate indication of whether an egg is good to eat or not. However, none of these methods are foolproof. If you’re ever unsure, it’s always safer to discard questionable eggs rather than risk your health.

Check the Expiration Date

For washed, storebought eggs, one of the quickest way to tell if an egg is likely good or not is to check the expiration date or the ‘sell by’ date printed on the egg carton. While eggs can still be good a few days after the sell-by date, it’s always a good rule of thumb to use them before this date for the best quality.

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