Are you unsure about the freshness of your eggs? Perhaps you’ve found an egg carton forgotten at the back of your fridge, or you’ve left some eggs on your countertop a little too long. Fear not! This modern guide will help you confidently understand how to tell if eggs are spoiled, using simple tests you can do at home.
1. You can smell – how to tell if eggs are still good
The most straightforward and dependable method to determine if eggs are spoiled is by checking their smell. Whether they are raw or cooked, spoiled eggs emit an unmistakable odor, as stated by the US Food and Drug Administration.
If you’re unsure about the condition of an egg while it’s still in the shell, you can crack it open into a clean plate or bowl and take a whiff.
Should you detect any foul smell, it’s essential to discard the egg and wash the plate or bowl thoroughly with hot, soapy water before using them again.
On the other hand, if everything smells fine, it’s a good indication that the eggs are safe for consumption.
2. Visual inspection
In addition to the nose, the eyes are a valuable tool to identify a good or bad egg.
While the egg is still in its shell, check to make sure that the shell is not cracked, mushy, or powdery.
Thin eggshells or cracks can allow bacteria to get inside. The powdery part that appears on the shell is a sign of mold.
You can also visually check if the whites or yolks of the eggs are melted. If so, this is a sign that the eggs are old and of reduced quality. But this doesn’t necessarily mean it’s gone bad, and it’s still usable.
3. Drop into the water – How to tell if an egg is bad in water
Dropping in water and seeing if eggs float is also a way to tell if eggs are spoiled that many people use.
To do this, gently place the egg in a bowl or bucket of water. If the egg sinks, the egg is fresh. If it tilts upwards or even floats, it’s old.
This phenomenon occurs because as an egg ages, the small air sacs inside it grow larger as water is released and replaced with air. If the air sac becomes large enough, the egg can float.
While this method can tell you if an egg is new or old, it doesn’t tell you if the egg is spoiled. An egg can sink and still spoil, while an egg that floats can still be eaten, according to the US Food Safety Administration.
You should only use this method when testing a large number of eggs. However, many people believe that putting eggs in water can also make eggs spoil faster.
4. Look for eggs with a flashlight – How to tell if eggs are spoiled
Flashlight is a method used to assess the quality of an egg or to assess the development of chicks or ducklings within the egg.
This process is carried out industrially using specialized equipment to ensure proper grading of eggs prior to packaging. However, you can still do this method at home using a flashlight and in a dark space.
When testing, you should keep the light source from the larger end of the egg. Then tilt the egg and flip it quickly from left to right. If done correctly, the contents of the egg will be illuminated.
This allows you to see how small or large the egg’s air sacs are. In a fresh egg, the air sac should be thinner than 1/8 of an inch, or 3.175 mm. As the eggs age, the gas replaces the water lost by evaporation and the air sacs get larger.
Of the how to tell if eggs are spoiled listed by Trendbbq above, breaking eggs, sniffing and checking for discoloration is the most accurate method of determining freshness.
Remember that eggs can contain disease-causing bacteria such as Salmonella that you cannot smell or examine with the naked eye. So don’t forget to cook before eating.
5. FAQs
How can I tell if an egg is spoiled?
You can perform a simple water test. Place the egg in a bowl of cold water; if it sinks, it’s fresh; if it floats, it’s likely spoiled.
What do spoiled eggs smell like?
Spoiled eggs have a distinctive rotten smell that is easily noticeable when cracked open. Fresh eggs have a neutral or slightly eggy smell.
Can I eat an egg with a slightly strange odor?
No, any unusual or foul smell is a clear sign of spoilage, and you should avoid consuming such eggs.
What should I do if I accidentally consume a spoiled egg?
Consuming a spoiled egg can lead to food poisoning. If you experience symptoms like nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, seek medical attention immediately.
Can cooking spoiled eggs make them safe to eat?
No, cooking cannot make spoiled eggs safe. It’s crucial to check for spoilage before cooking.
