Checking Egg Freshness and Safety
Detecting a bad egg is straightforward using sensory checks: visual inspection, smell, and simple tests.
How to check:
- Visual inspection: look for cracks, sliminess, or powdery mold on the shell.
- Smell: a rotten egg has a strong sulfurous odor whether shelled or cracked open — discard immediately.
- Float test: place the egg in a bowl of water. Fresh eggs sink; older eggs may stand upright or float because of an expanding air cell. Floating eggs should be discarded for quality reasons.
When in doubt:
- If the egg has any off smell after cracking, don’t taste — throw it out.
- Use cooked eggs within recommended storage times to avoid risk.
These checks reduce the chance of using spoiled eggs and help keep meals safe.