Egg Tips
Buying eggs
At the store, open the carton and inspect the eggs to see whether there are
any broken or cracked eggs and also test the weight by holding one in your
hand. The heavier the egg, the fresher it is.
When eggs are really fresh, the air cell within them is very small. As the
eggs age, moisture is lost and is replaced by air, which means that the eggs
will become lighter and lighter in weight, as the air cell grows bigger and
the egg becomes less fresh.
The way in which the eggs are stored can also affect their quality and
freshness.
Storing eggs
You should store the eggs in the refrigerator at a constant temperature of
40 degrees or below. Temperatures above 40 degrees may lead bacteria to grow
and rapidly multiply.
Keep the eggs in the original carton and place them on one of the shelves
inside the fridge, where the temperature is cold and consistent.
Do not store the eggs inside the fridge door, where warm air enters the
fridge each time the door is opened. Eggs may be kept for up to five weeks
if stored properly in the refrigerator.
Eggs are susceptible to changes in temperature, which can result in loss of
quality.
Make sure that the eggs are kept in the same position as when they were
packaged, with the pointed end facing downwards, as this prevents any damage
to the air cell.
Keeping the eggs in their original carton is very important, as the
protective cardboard slows down moisture loss and protects the eggs from the
absorption of strong odors and flavors, through their porous shells, from
nearby strong-smelling foods. The best before date can also be seen if the
eggs are kept in the original packaging.
Some people store eggs in a cool larder or room, as many recipes call for
eggs to be used at room temperature; however, eggs will deteriorate quicker
at a warmer temperature. 24 hours of storage in the refrigerator is the same
as 4 to 5 days in a cool room. Eggs stored in a cool room, should really be
consumed within two weeks.
To warm eggs up to room temperature for certain recipes, either remove the
eggs from the refrigerator at least 30 minutes before needed, or place the
eggs in a bowl of very warm water for several minutes.
Freezing Eggs:
How to freeze an egg
It is possible to freeze eggs, but they must be removed from their shells
and placed in a small airtight container or freezer bag.
If you wish to freeze whole eggs, beat the eggs until they have blended
together and place them in an airtight plastic container. Label the
container with the date and the number of eggs.
The same can be carried out for egg whites, but egg yolks require a bit more
care. Beat the egg yolks in a bowl and add a pinch of salt if they are to be
used for savory dishes, or a pinch of sugar, for sweet dishes. This will
stop the yolks from becoming too thick as they freeze over time. Pour the
egg yolks into an airtight container, label the container and place in the
freezer.
Defrost frozen eggs in the refrigerator overnight, never at room temperature
and use them as soon as they have defrosted.
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