In China, eggs are considered a nourishing food. Regular consumption of eggs can enhance memory, protect the heart and arteries, prevent cancer, and delay aging. So, are there any tips for telling if an egg is fresh when buying them? Today, the 39 Food editor shares 6 methods for checking egg freshness.
1. Appearance Method: Fresh eggshells are relatively coarse and have a layer of white powder, which is not smooth to the touch. Eggs with smooth, shiny, incomplete, cracked, or grayish-black spots are not fresh.
2. Shake Method: When buying eggs, hold an egg and shake it with your index, middle, and thumb fingers. An egg that makes no sound is fresh. An egg that makes a sloshing sound when shaken is not fresh; the louder the sound, the worse it is.
3. Candling Method: Gently hold the egg against a light source to observe it. The white of a fresh egg is clear and translucent, with a small air cell at one end. The white of an old egg appears dull gray, and the air cell is larger. Some eggs have stains, which is a sign of being old or spoiled.
4. Smell Method: Gently blow warm air onto the eggshell and then sniff it. A high-quality fresh egg has a slight smell of fresh lime.
5. Spin Method: Place the egg on a flat surface and give it a gentle spin with your finger. A fresh egg encounters some resistance inside the shell and will stop spinning after 2-3 turns. A spoiled egg will spin fast and for a long time. If the egg spins at a medium speed, it is not very fresh.
6. Float Method: Take 500 grams of water and add one tablespoon of salt. After the salt dissolves, place the egg in the water. An egg that sinks to the bottom is fresh. An egg that floats with the larger end up and the smaller end slightly submerged indicates it has been stored for a longer time, at least 3-5 days. An egg that floats completely on the surface is already spoiled and rotten.