As is well known, eggs are a prime example of fragile food. They can be broken during transportation or even when selecting them. Some may appear intact on the outside, but the yolk is broken. So, can you still eat an egg with a broken yolk? It's best to smell it before throwing it away!
Why do egg yolks break?
There are many reasons for a broken yolk: violent shaking during transportation can cause the yolk membrane to rupture, leading to a broken yolk; during storage, as the egg white thins, water slowly penetrates the yolk, causing it to expand and eventually break the yolk membrane; fertilized eggs will also have a broken yolk after a period of incubation; and bacteria and mold can enter the egg through the pores in the shell, also causing the yolk to break.
Can you eat an egg with a broken yolk?
Many people believe that if the yolk is broken, the egg is inedible and should be thrown away without a second thought, which is a real shame. In fact, some of these eggs are not spoiled and are still safe to eat. For example, an egg whose yolk was broken by vigorous shaking. The broken yolk in this case is relatively thick, the protein has not denatured, the yolk and white are easily separated, and there is no strange odor, so it is edible.
Therefore, the only criterion for whether a broken-yolk egg is edible is its odor. If the egg has a broken yolk and a strange odor, of course, it cannot be eaten; if there is no strange odor and it is simply a broken yolk, then it is edible.
Can you eat a cracked egg?
Experts explain that an intact eggshell prevents bacteria from entering the egg white, but a cracked egg loses this protection, increasing the likelihood of bacterial contamination. It is not only difficult to store but can also easily cause gastrointestinal discomfort after consumption. However, a cracked egg is not entirely inedible. If it was accidentally broken on the same day, cooking it immediately will not be a problem, but if it is left for a long time, it will spoil and should not be eaten.
At the same time, the editor would also like to remind everyone to buy eggs in moderation because they have a shelf life, and you may not know the exact date they were laid, so it is best to eat them as soon as possible. Under normal circumstances, eggs should be stored in the refrigerator. At 2°C—5°C, the shelf life is 40 days, while in a room temperature environment in the summer, it is reduced to about 10 days.