Eggs have a surprisingly long shelf life if kept in the refrigerator, but once they’ve gone bad they stink with a vengeance! According to the USDA, the “sell by” date must fall within 30 days after the eggs were packed. According to Foodsafety.gov, some eggs can stay fresh for up to five weeks if kept cold.
With a hard protective shell, it’s difficult to know if an egg has turned without taking a peek inside. If you hate wasting food almost as much as you hate the smell of rotten eggs, this simple kitchen trick is just for you!
To find out if your eggs are still fresh simply fill a large bowl or tall glass with water. Gently place the eggs in the water and watch what happens. If they sink, you’re safe, but if they float you’re out of luck! If the egg stands up on the bottom, it’s still fresh enough to eat.
Only the bravest among us will risk shaking an egg near their head. If you hear the liquid inside sloshing around, the egg is no good.
What causes the difference you might ask? Air. Eggs are incredibly porous and over time air will seep through the shell. As the egg gets older, the air pocket gets bigger. By the time the egg has enough air to float, the liquid inside has already spoiled.
You can even see this air pocket if you shine a flashlight through the eggshell in a dark room.
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