A small egg holds great nutrition. A thin eggshell, like a protective umbrella, locks the nutrients inside and keeps bacteria out. However, this very fact makes selecting eggs a challenge. To this end, we have invited Xu Guiyun, Deputy Director of the Poultry Quality Supervision, Inspection and Testing Center of the Ministry of Agriculture, to teach everyone how to select fresh, high-quality eggs using the "one look, two shake, three light" method.
One Look
Look at the color, cleanliness, and whether there are any cracks on the eggshell. "A fresh egg has a complete, non-lustrous shell with a layer of white powder on the surface, and it feels rough to the touch," says Xu Guiyun. Eggshells come in many colors, some leaning towards pink, some yellow, and some green, but their nutritional value is about the same. Some people believe that pink-shelled eggs are the best, but this is not necessarily true. Free-range eggs have pink shells, but not all pink-shelled eggs are free-range. The depth of the shell color is related to the egg production cycle; it is usually deepest at the beginning of the cycle and gradually fades. The depth of the shell color can also be changed through selective breeding; for example, crossbreeding white-shelled and brown-shelled chickens results in pink-shelled eggs, which have no difference in nutritional value compared to other eggs. Therefore, there is no basis for calling pink-shelled eggs "free-range eggs." In addition, inspect the egg's surface carefully. If it looks dull, has feces on it, or has cracks, do not buy it. Also, avoid eggs with uneven color or many speckles on the surface.
Two Shake
When buying eggs, hold an egg between your thumb, index finger, and middle finger and shake it. A silent egg is a fresh one, while a rattling one is a bad one. If there is no sound, it means the egg's air cell and yolk are intact. A rattling sound could indicate that the egg is old.
Three Light
Hold the egg gently and observe it against a light source. A good egg has a clear, translucent albumen and yolk, with a small air cell at one end. If the egg is not fresh, it will appear dull gray with a larger air cell. Old or spoiled eggs may have dark spots.
In addition, if you want to determine whether eggs you have already bought are fresh, you can also use the water test. Place the egg in a bowl of clear water; if it sinks with the pointed end down, it is fresh. For eggs you bring home, if the surface is not particularly dirty, it is best not to wash them. Store them in the refrigerator with the small end down.