Have you ever wondered if eggs go bad? These days, we often store our eggs in the refrigerator, and they're used up quicker than just about anything. Whether it's for baking, , or our favorite , the incredible, edible egg is one of those kitchen staples that rarely goes unused. But if you happen to have a carton of eggs in the fridge and you're not sure how long they've been there, it begs the question: are these eggs still fresh? Luckily, there's an easy way to tell (and we're not just talking about the expiration date). Instead, you can get a more accurate answer using the egg float test.
What is the egg float test, you might ask? It's like a mini science experiment in your kitchen.
Read on for everything you need to know. And while you're here, pick up some other tips and tricks, like how to sniff out any problems and what that pack date on the egg carton actually means.
It's pretty simple: Place an egg in a bowl of water. If the egg sinks, it's good; if it floats, it's gone bad. Here's why: Eggshells are very porous, so as time goes by, the egg loses moisture, causing its contents to shrink. At the same time, a small air pocket inside the shell starts to expand, causing the egg to float in water. Give the egg float test a try—here are three possible outcomes:
Not all floating eggs are rotten! According to the , if an egg floats, "the egg is old, but it may be perfectly safe to use." You'll want to crack the egg into a bowl to take a closer look.
If you've already cracked open your eggs, use your senses and your best judgment. Here's how to spy an egg that's past its prime or close to it:
Fresh eggs will have thick, slightly opaque whites; eggs whites that are older will start to spread. Runny egg whites aren't necessarily unsafe to eat though.
If the yolks are round and domed, the eggs are likely fresh—if they look flattened, they may be on the older side.
If you've ever smelled rotten eggs, you know what we're talking about here. Rule of thumb: If your eggs smell bad, throw them out!
The Pioneer Woman
The Pioneer Woman
Don't toss your eggs just because they're close to expiring! Older eggs are actually great for making meringue—they whip up better than fresh eggs.
Your egg carton is probably stamped with a sell-by date or best-by date, but those dates aren't always the answer.