How to tell if eggs are off: 4 Simple methods

Eggs are a nutritious and inexpensive food. They're also versatile and easy to cook. But how can you tell if your eggs have gone bad? The following tricks will help you understand the causes of bad eggs and how to store eggs properly to keep them fresh for longer.

What Causes Eggs to Go Bad? 

There are several reasons why eggs go bad:

• If they're not stored properly, they may become contaminated with bacteria like salmonella or E. coli. 
  
• If they're stored at too high a temperature, the yolk will start to coagulate and the whites will become rubbery or dry.
• If they're stored for too long in the fridge, their quality will start to deteriorate because of exposure to air and moisture from other foods in the fridge.
• If you hard-boil them, then leave them out for a while before refrigerating them, they'll go bad pretty quickly.

What does a bad egg look like?

Looking at the shell of an egg alone rarely reveals any defects. An egg needs to be cracked in order to determine its freshness, even if it has cracks or discoloration on it. Crack an egg onto a plate and carefully examine the white and yolk for colour and thickness to determine the condition of the egg.

A fresh egg should have a thick, non-spreading white and a bright yellow or orange yolk. The egg white will be much runnier and the yolk will be flatter and discoloured if the egg is bad. The egg will also have a pungent smell. 

How to test if an egg is off

Eggs can be stored in the fridge for up to three weeks after purchase. However, if you have an egg that has gone bad, there are a few different ways to tell if it is safe for consumption.

1. The first way is to smell the egg. If it smells like vinegar or has a sour odour, it should not be eaten. 
2. Another way is to put the egg in a bowl of water. If the egg floats, it should not be eaten because this means that there is something wrong with the shell and/or contents of the egg. So, if you were wondering, if eggs float are they good or bad? - now you know they’re bad. 
3. The third way is to crack open an egg and look at its yolk. If it has a greenish or greyish colour, then you should avoid eating this egg because this means that the eggs are most likely rotten on their inside as well as on their outside.
4. The fourth way is to crack the egg into a bowl of water or vinegar and see how it reacts with the liquid - if there's no reaction or it starts to break apart then it's probably not good anymore.

Eggs fresh water test:

The most common way to test if an egg is off is the fresh water test. This answers the question ‘should an egg float or sink?’ You put the egg in a glass of water and see if it sinks or floats. If it sinks, it’s fresh. If it floats, the egg is off and should be discarded.

Another way to tell if an egg is off is by shaking the egg and seeing how much liquid comes out of the shell. If liquid comes out, then the egg has been sitting for too long and is now off; it should be discarded.

What happens if you eat a bad egg?

You run an increased risk of contracting food poisoning from bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli if you eat a rotten or bad egg. Symptoms of food poisoning may include:

• Diarrhoea
• Fever
• Stomach cramps
• Nausea

The typical onset of symptoms is 6 to 48 hours after consuming a contaminated egg, and they can last for four to seven days. The symptoms typically disappear on their own.

Egg Storage Tips

• Eggs are still safe to eat as long as they are not cracked or dirty. You can tell if eggs are still good by looking at the egg's shell for any signs of cracks or dirt. If the egg is old and has a lot of cracks, it is best to throw it away.
• Eggs also have an expiration date, which is usually stamped on the side of the carton or container. The expiration date is typically 30 days past the date of packing, but this can vary depending on the store and producer.
• Eggs should be stored in a cool place at around 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below to keep them fresh for as long as possible. It’s also important to keep them away from direct sunlight and any other heat sources, like microwaves or ovens.
• If you want to prolong their shelf life even more, then try keeping them in an airtight container or sealable bag with some baking soda mixed with water (1 tablespoon per 1 cup). This will help absorb any odour that might otherwise affect their taste and appearance.
• The best way to store hard-boiled eggs is to place them in a container with a tight-fitting lid. The container should be filled with cold water and then put in the refrigerator. This will keep your hard-boiled egg fresh for about 7 days.

Cooking with eggs

Eggs are a staple in a lot of different cuisines and can be found in many different dishes. From breakfast to dinner, eggs are an important part of the meal. They are a great source of protein, and they can be used in many ways. They are perfect for cooking breakfast, lunch, dinner, and even desserts. If you have them fresh, you can enjoy various recipes made with eggs.

Here are a few of our favourite egg recipes you can try:

• Artichoke and spinach eggs benedict
  
• The best salmon and eggs recipe
  
• Easy and quick poached eggs
  
• Authentic Indian egg curry
  
• Hong Kong egg tart
  
• Egg, ham and cheese crepe
  
• Homemade egg and potato salad
• Easy spinach, egg and cheese pie
• Seared Arugula, egg and cheddar breakfast sandwich
• Quick egg and bacon pie