What affects the safety of eggs?
The period during which the egg will be stored directly depends on the factors affecting the product. These include:
- cracks, any damage to the shell;
- date of demolition;
- storage temperature (refrigerator or freezer, room temperature);
- the presence of heat treatment (cooked, raw or colored).
In accordance with the listed conditions, they are stored from 24 hours to 12 months.
We take into account the date of purchase and demolition
Many people know that producers indicate the date of sorting, not the date of laying of eggs. Because of this, you will not be able to understand how long the egg actually lies. This information is only available if you raise your own laying hens or buy homemade products from trusted vendors. Always study the markings on the packaging and ask the seller about the date of demolition. The freshness of eggs is checked independently at home using several methods:
- Place the egg in water with dissolved salt. The fresh one will fall down (alternatively, it will rise with the blunt end up), the low-quality one will float or float to the top.
- Break into a bowl. In a stale product, the yolk will mix with the white.
- Shake near your ear. No noise is a guarantee of freshness.
It is worth noting that fresh boiled eggs are very difficult to peel.
Storing Broken Eggs
The egg mass is stored without shells in a clean container that does not allow air to pass through.
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For storage you can use:
- Fridge. The optimal storage temperature is 4 degrees.
- Freezer. Proteins can be frozen without problems in a plastic container. But the yolks become viscous. You need to either prick them with a fork and gently stir them with the whites without whipping the foam, or freeze them separately with a pinch of salt or sugar. Before use, prepared eggs are thawed in the refrigerator. They can be used in baked goods, salads, creams.
Which eggs last longer?
If the eggs are laid by your own chickens or purchased from familiar farmers, they are stored for about 3 months. It is advisable to consume those purchased in the store within 30 days. Also consider storage conditions: eggs placed in the refrigerator will remain fresh longer. Raw ones last for at least 30 days, hard-boiled - about a week, soft-boiled - no more than 48 hours. If you see a crack in the shell, eat the egg within 24 hours. Shelf life may depend on the category and color of the shell. According to the law, dietary ones must be put up for sale no later than 7 days from the date of demolition, canteens - 25 days. Also note that brown shells are denser than white shells, so they last longer.
What determines the shelf life of eggs?
The shelf life of a product depends on several factors:
- temperature at which storage occurs;
- types of eggs (raw, boiled, peeled, washed, etc.);
- humidity;
- condition (intact shell or damaged);
- from the variety.
Also, the storage conditions will be affected by the date of purchase, that is, it is important to find out from the store clerk when the bird laid the egg. Information about this should be in the quality certificate.
How to store at room temperature
It is allowed to store without refrigeration, observing certain conditions:
- Eggs must be raw and fresh.
- The air temperature should not exceed 20 ° C, and humidity – 85%.
- There are no drafts or sudden temperature changes.
To preserve the product for as long as possible, use popular storage methods.
Wrapped in paper
Plain paper increases shelf life. Wrap each egg in a layer of newspaper or tracing paper, place it in a container and leave it in the coolest place in the apartment.
Immersed in salt solution
An egg, dipped in water with salt, undergoes a kind of preservation. Dilute ordinary salt in water at the rate of 25 g per 1000 ml of liquid, cool and immerse the eggs in the solution. Close the container with a lid and put it in a cool, dark place.
How long can you store without refrigeration?
If you know exactly the demolition date, preservation is possible in room conditions for about 3 weeks. Additional storage methods in paper or saline solution will extend freshness for about 7 more days.
Is it possible to eat expired eggs?
Before cooking, they are broken, inspected, and you can also smell them. If the product is expired by a couple of days, there is no smell or change in color, then it is safe during prolonged heat treatment.
But if there is a smell, the color has darkened, and the shelf life has been exceeded too much, that is, egg dishes are not allowed.
No one can predict what will happen if you eat expired eggs. Delay is fraught with abdominal pain, food poisoning, and deterioration in health. The worst possible outcome is possible.
Poultry eggs are a valuable food product; the most common use is chicken eggs. But it is important to properly preserve the benefits. It, like taste, is limited in shelf life. Favorable environmental parameters for saving utility are in the cold, in refrigeration units. Proper organization can keep them out of the cold without losing valuable qualities.
How long can raw eggs be stored in the refrigerator and at room temperature? The shelf life of raw eggs from different poultry is described in detail, so you can preserve the benefits of the product and your health without any problems.
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In a refrigerator
Traditionally, all housewives store eggs in the refrigerator. For high-quality preservation of eggs, some rules are also provided:
- Watch how you laid it. The pointy end of the egg should be at the bottom. This will ensure proper gas exchange inside and long-term preservation.
- Do not place in the refrigerator door, but in the vegetable container.
- Don't wash. On the surface of the shell there is a thin shell that protects the egg from the harmful effects of bacteria.
How long to store hard-boiled and soft-boiled eggs?
Boiled eggs will spoil much faster than raw eggs. The shelf life depends on the consistency of the yolk and external damage. During cooking, the shell sometimes bursts, which shortens the shelf life of the product. Boiled eggs can be stored for no more than 72 hours. A whole soft-boiled egg should be used within 2 days, and a hard-boiled egg should be used within 14 days. Without the shell, it will last in the refrigerator for no more than 3 days.
How long do raw eggs last in the refrigerator?
Taking into account all the factors, laying time and type of storage, the eggs will easily lie on the refrigerator shelves for 30 to 90 days.
How long can Easter eggs be stored?
The storage time of Easter eggs is determined by the method of dyeing. If the egg is covered with film, the quality will remain only for 3-4 days, even for hard-boiled eggs. Chemical food coloring adds several days to the traditional shelf life. Colored with natural products (onion peels, beets) will last for 2 weeks.
How long does a cracked egg last?
If the outer shell of the egg is damaged, consume it within 2 days.
Determining the degree of freshness
If eggs have been in the refrigerator or outdoors for a long time, or doubts arise about their quality immediately after purchase, you can determine the degree of their freshness without breaking the shell. There are two ways to do this at home:
- Pour cold water into a mug and immerse a chicken egg in it. The product remained on the bottom - it was fresh. It has floated to the middle of the container - it has stale, but may still be suitable for food. I went upstairs and definitely got spoiled.
- Take the testicle with your fingers and shake it lightly near your ear. If you don’t hear any sounds, the product is fresh. If you hear splashes inside, it’s most likely gone.
As you can see, raw and cooked eggs can remain fresh for a long time. To do this, you need to choose the right product and create optimal storage conditions for it.
In the freezer
It is recommended to store raw eggs without shells in the freezer. This storage method will save you if you accidentally break many eggs at once. Pour the mixed white and yolk into a freezer container and add a little sugar (salt) to prevent the product from becoming grainy. Simple dishes are usually prepared from such a mass, so think in advance what needs to be added. Separately, the whites and yolks are frozen in the same way. Boiled ones can also be kept in the freezer, but only the yolk is preserved; after defrosting, the white loses its taste and nutritional qualities. Boil the yolk for a few minutes, then place in a container and place in the freezer.
Eggs preserved using this method must be thawed properly. Do not take the raw frozen product directly into a warm environment; let it thaw in the refrigerator compartment. Pre-cooked frozen yolks can be immediately placed in the microwave.
How long do egg yolks last in the refrigerator and how to store them correctly?
For some dishes, only the white is required when preparing them; it is not necessary to throw out the remaining yolk. One day is how long raw yolks of homemade or store-bought eggs are stored in the refrigerator. To save it for a while, you can use the following techniques:
- Leave the yolk inside the shell. Using a needle, make 1 hole at opposite ends (sharp and blunt), and blow out the protein.
- The separated circle of yolk is placed in a cup, filled with water or milk, and covered with a lid.
It is important to keep the preparation of the dish away from ingredients with a strong odor.
Traditional methods
Using traditional storage methods, you can ensure long-term preservation of the product up to one year. Most methods are based on coating the shell with some substance.
Grease
To keep eggs longer than usual without a refrigeration chamber, the shells are coated with fat and vegetable oil. Lubricate the egg with a fat-containing substance and place the pointed end down in a box with oats, wheat, sand.
Brush with egg white
Prepare the required amount of protein, then, without beating it, cover the egg with one layer, and after drying, with a second one. When all the layers are dry, wrap the food in newspaper, tracing paper and put it in a container. It is better to save it in a dark place - under the bed, in the farthest cabinet.
Lubrication with paraffin or wax
Melt paraffin or wax in a water bath. When the mixture becomes liquid, quickly and carefully dip the egg into it. Wait until the “cover” has completely hardened and put it in a storage container.
Potassium permanganate solution
It is recommended to store testicles using a solution of potassium permanganate (potassium permanganate) for about 3 weeks at room temperature. Prepare a bright pink solution of potassium permanganate, dip the product in it for a few seconds and dry.
Sweet water
The question is controversial. Some housewives do not believe in this method of storage, others recommend and promise: this way the product can be stored for up to 6 months. To use this method, prepare sugar syrup at the rate of 1 kg of sugar per 1 liter of water and cool. Place the eggs in sweet water for a few seconds, dry and wipe with a towel.
Dry salt
To use this method you will need a lot of table salt. Place the eggs in a container - a box, a box, gradually filling the space between them with large crystals.
Lime solution
Eggs are stored in lime solution for up to six months at a temperature not exceeding 10 °C. Pour 300–400 g of lime into a bucket of water and wait until the solution turns bluish-green. Then add the food into the solution and close the lid. The water in the bucket should be covered with a film. If it disappears, the solution is replaced. Please note: if stored in this way for a long time, a specific taste may appear.
Storage methods
To prevent rotting, various traditional methods are used. Their main tasks are:
- limiting oxygen access to the shell;
- preventing the spread of bacteria and their entry;
- inhibition of microbial activity.
To create an additional protective shell, eggs are treated with oil, liquid clay or paraffin. Storage in dry coarse salt, ash, saline or lime solution has a good antiseptic effect.
When stored in a cellar or pantry, eggs are placed in baskets or boxes, lined with sawdust, cloth, paper or a mixture of coal and bran. The main influence on the shelf life of eggs is not the method of preparation and storage, but the temperature of the environment.
How to cool eggs without a refrigerator
When it is hot in the apartment and outside, a structure is built that is suitable for cooling and storing any food, including eggs. Place the products in a container with a tight lid and place in a bowl of cold water. Cover the top with a natural cloth or towel so that the ends fall into the water. The water on the towel will evaporate, absorbing the heat of the container.
If you need to quickly cool boiled eggs, immediately after boiling, drain the boiling water and place the pan under running cold water. The egg will cool quickly and will be easier to peel.
How to check freshness?
The appearance of eggs does not change over time, so it is almost impossible to determine their freshness by eye. There are several secrets in this case.
- The egg is placed in a deep container with cold water. If it remains horizontal, then there is no need to worry about safety. If the eggs are raised upward at an obtuse angle, they are not fresh, but they can be eaten. Any floating eggs should be disposed of immediately.
- We break the shell and pay attention to the condition of the yolk and white. A high-quality egg will have a convex yolk and a viscous and tightly packed white.
- If no extraneous sounds are heard when shaking the eggs, then you can safely cook with them. Splashes and flapping indicate that air has gotten inside: the natural air bubble in it has already been broken.
Hard-boiled
- At room temperature, a boiled egg can be stored for no more than 12 hours.
- You can keep it in the refrigerator for a week - separately from other products so that foreign odors do not penetrate.
- If the shell of an egg is damaged, it must be eaten immediately.
How to store quail eggs
Eggs laid by quail and guinea fowl are stored longer than chicken eggs due to the higher content of microelements that resist bacteria. Such products can be stored in an apartment for up to 4 weeks. In the refrigerator, quail eggs should be stored only in a closed container to reduce evaporation from the surface. They will last for about 2 months. Follow the recommended storage conditions:
- place each product with the pointed end down;
- do not store them in the refrigerator door;
- keep away from strong smelling products.
Storage recommendations
Eggs are used in cooking, often as a main ingredient (for example, in baking)
That is why it is important for every housewife to know about the storage conditions of such a product. Based on SanPiN standards, it can be argued that raw chicken eggs are stored in the refrigerator at an optimal temperature of no more than +6 ℃ for the following period:
- canteens (from the store) – up to 25 days;
- dietary – up to 7 days;
- domestic - up to 3 months.
The best place to place fresh eggs in the refrigerator is the lower compartment (chilled room), intended for fruits and vegetables. It is there that the most stable temperature and humidity are observed. But you shouldn’t put eggs in several rows, so as not to collect the broken ones from below.
It is recommended to store eggs in a “fixed” position away from foods that have a pungent odor.
It is recommended to store eggs in a “fixed” position separately from other foods, especially those with a pungent odor. This is explained by the porous structure of the shell, which is why foreign aromas are quickly absorbed through it. Also, infection from contaminated foods, such as meat or fish, can enter the egg through micropores. To avoid such trouble, the pores in the shell can be “closed” by wiping it with vegetable oil.
By the way, before placing eggs in the refrigerator, there is no need to subject them to additional processing, because the shell reliably protects the white and yolk from external influences.
Many people are interested in how long raw eggs can be stored in the refrigerator if they are goose or duck. The answer is no more than 2 weeks. Raw quail eggs can be stored in the refrigerator longer - up to 2 months. This is explained by the presence in their composition of a special amino acid, lysozyme, which can fight bacteria and microbes. The shelf life of quail eggs can be extended if you place them in a closed container (tray or container).
It is better to store eggs in a cool place with the point down so that the yolk is located away from the air chamber. This way it will stay fresh longer.
How to store goose eggs
Goose eggs are rarely found on store shelves, but they are still eaten, although they are not as healthy as chicken eggs. The storage conditions for a goose egg do not differ from the method of storing a chicken egg, but the period is reduced to only 10 days. The optimal storage place is the refrigerator. Before placing in the refrigerator, be sure to wash the product with detergent or baking soda. The pores in the shell are large, and there is a risk of infection of the white or yolk with dangerous bacteria. By washing it, you will reduce the shelf life, but protect yourself from diseases.
Which is correct?
The shell, strong and clean, protects the contents of the eggs from the negative effects of pathogenic microorganisms.
Having lost it, the contents become fertile ground for the spread of pathogenic agents . Given this fact, eggs without shells should be stored in compliance with special rules.
Otherwise, they become hazardous to health.
Acceptable methods
There are situations when, upon returning from the store, a lot of broken eggs are found in the package. There is no point in throwing them away. But you can’t just leave it in the refrigerator.
You can do this:
- Remove the whole ones, rinse them, let them dry on a towel and then place them in the refrigerator.
- Carefully remove the shell from the broken eggs and transfer the mixture into a clean container with a lid to prevent air from entering.
- Place the dishes close to the back wall of the refrigerator compartment for storage for no more than a day.
You can store yolks or whites in a similar way if you only need separate parts of the egg for cooking. It is better, of course, to use them as soon as possible after processing them.
Useful tips
Is it possible to store eggs in the refrigerator door?
Experts do not recommend putting eggs in the refrigerator door. Frequent opening and closing of the refrigerator will cause a sharp temperature difference, which will have a detrimental effect on the freshness of the product. The best installation option is boxes for vegetables or fruits. Lay in several rows, but do not overdo it: the bottom layer may crack under the pressure of the top ones.
Is it possible to store eggs together with other products?
It is not recommended to store eggs together with other strong-smelling foods. The shell actively transmits odor, so an unpleasant taste may appear when used.
Adviсe
Broken eggs can only be used for preparing various dishes. An egg mixture that is not protected by a shell very quickly becomes infected with pathogenic bacteria, which can cause severe poisoning and intoxication of the body.
There is no need to rush to throw away the shells of broken eggs. It can be an excellent fertilizer for indoor plants or one of the ingredients in masks to strengthen nails or hair.
Do not store melange in the refrigerator (freezer) for a very long time. The longer a product is exposed to low temperatures, the less beneficial properties it retains.
What you should know
Being one of the main types of products, eggs are likely to be found in the kitchen of both an avid bachelor and an experienced housewife. Due to their high nutritional value, yet dietary value, versatility in use and easy availability, they are an integral part of home, commercial or industrial cooking.
The shelf life of eggs depends on many factors:
- freshness;
- storage method;
- the species to which they belong (the most common in home use are chicken and quail).
This is interesting : when buying eggs in a store, you should understand that the indicated marking indicates the date of packaging, and not the day when they were laid by the chicken. Between these periods there is still storage in the warehouse and, possibly, delivery to the sorting site.
How to check freshness
There are effective ways to find out how much a product has deteriorated during storage. Based on this, you can calculate how long it can stay in the refrigerator.
Even during the purchase, experienced housewives are able to correctly determine when the eggs are laid. Fresh ones have a matte surface, while older ones have a glossy surface. In the tray they must be from the same batch, which means the same color.
In extreme cases, the egg can be easily shaken. This is how they define “talkers” who cannot be eaten. Those that have been stored for a long time dry out and begin to peel away from the shell. You can check at home using a glass of water:
- the freshest - lies at the bottom, on its side;
- weekly - rises slightly from the bottom, “looks” down with its thick end;
- from 15 days to a month - barely stays at the bottom, pointed at it with a sharp tip.
You definitely can't eat a floating egg.
How and how long do eggs of other birds are stored?
Eggs from various birds are used to prepare dishes. Each type of product has a difference in nutritional energy value. The shelf life also depends on the origin of the eggs.
The key factor is the thickness of the shell, which differs markedly in eggs of different breeds of birds. Of all the known edibles, ostriches are considered to have the longest shelf life. They will be edible even after 90 days. But there are others:
Table No. 1
Type | Description |
Turkey | They are rarely found on the open market; their characteristics are close to those of chicken. Under appropriate conditions they will be edible in 1-2 months. |
Goose and duck | They contain a high content of specific fats. Often used in baking. The storage period for homemade ones at room temperature does not exceed 14-15 days. Due to the strength and porosity of the shells, they are kept in the refrigerator longer. The dietary category at low temperatures does not spoil in the refrigerator for up to 11 days, and the dining category - up to 30 |
Quail | They have a unique valuable set of useful substances. They are rightly called the most useful. It will not be possible to keep them fresh for more than 10 days at room temperature. And taking into account good packaging and a temperature in the refrigerator no higher than 2-4 ° C, they will not lose nutritional value for six months. But if stored for a long time, they should only be consumed when preparing baked goods or snacks. |
Regardless of the type, when ensuring the freshness of food, you must adhere to the same principles as when storing chicken eggs. You should avoid placing it on the refrigerator door.
Chicken
According to GOST, the shelf life of purchased eggs is 25 days. It starts with sorting day on the farm. The time period is not short, but experts advise against consuming the product, soft-boiled, or in the form of an omelet after 9-10 days from the date of production.
Raw
Despite the fact that the nutritional part is protected by a hard shell, it is important to maintain dry storage conditions. The unique structure allows air to enter through the shell, which means odors and bacteria.
A special container made of absorbent material is suitable, which absorbs excess moisture and protects from light and odors of other products.
This is interesting : it has been recorded that eggs that are stored in special honeycombs with the sharp end down remain fresh longer.
Freshly collected domestic eggs are stored at +10 °C for up to 3 weeks, and at +1 °C... +3 °C for up to 4 months. Store-bought ones can be stored indoors for up to 7 days. In the refrigerator they remain edible for 6 weeks.
Boiled
During processing, the protective film is destroyed. In room conditions, such a product is stored for no longer than 3 days, but if it is soft-boiled and not hard-boiled, then 20 hours. The shelf life of chicken eggs in the refrigerator is 1 week.
Tip : raw eggs that are nearing the end of their sell-by date are specially boiled so that they remain edible longer.
Is it possible to increase the shelf life and how?
There are techniques that will help preserve the freshness of the product for a long time - up to a year. Popular techniques:
- Beeswax. The product is melted in a deep container, one copy is lowered into it one by one. Leave until the wax shell has completely set, transfer to cells with the blunt end up, and place in the refrigerator at a temperature that does not exceed 10 °C. The wax will clog the pores in the shell, preventing air and microorganisms from entering.
- Pork fat. To avoid the risk of the white and yolk curdling due to high temperatures, it is pre-melted. The sequence of actions is similar to that with wax. Due to its consistency, fat prevents oxygen from entering under the shell for a long time.
- Potassium permanganate. It removes pathogenic microflora from the shell, which doubles the shelf life. To achieve this result, prepare a weak pink solution and dip the specimens into it one by one. The final stage is rubbing with vegetable oil to clog the pores.
- Cardboard trays. In addition to them, you have to free up space in the freezer. If there are no problems with space, take trays, lay them out in cells, and sprinkle each layer generously with table salt. Send the product to the freezer. There it will remain fresh for 10 months.
- Freezing in bags. Special bags are prepared, the shell is broken and the contents are poured into them. It’s easier to freeze no more than 3 copies at a time. They defrost quickly and are easy to use when preparing various snacks.
How to determine the freshness of a boiled egg
The above CX are conditional and depend on many specific factors. Before you start eating, it is better to determine the freshness by the appearance and smell of the product, otherwise the risk of poisoning remains.
Focus on 4 signs:
- The aroma corresponds to edible boiled KY. Rotten ones have a sharp, unpleasant odor that can be felt even through the shell. If you have the slightest doubt, throw it in the trash or as bird feed.
- The egg is elastic to the touch, without mucus, stickiness and excess liquid. Water inside the shell indicates damage before cooking. Mucus is formed during the process of rotting of the product, usually combined with an unpleasant odor.
- The protein is uniformly colored, of the appropriate color. Without stains that indicate damage to the cover or deterioration and foreign inclusions. In rotten ones, the KY acquires a grayish tint. Similar in the yolk - a sign of prolonged heat treatment. In a rotten product, the center turns black.
- In eggs that have been sitting, the yolk looks dried out. The middle has an unusual loose texture, does not break up into flakes, but is more like a dense sticky mass.
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