As we all know, eggs are a representative of fragile foods. They can be accidentally broken during transportation or when selecting. Some may look intact on the outside, but the yolk is broken. So, can you eat an egg with a broken yolk? It's best to smell it before throwing it away!
Why does the yolk 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. When the yolk expands to the point of bursting the yolk membrane, it will also break; in a fertilized egg, the yolk will also break after a period of incubation; bacteria and mold can enter the egg through the pores of the shell, which can also cause the yolk to break.
Can you eat an egg with a broken yolk?
Many people believe that if the yolk is broken, the egg cannot be eaten and is thrown away without a second thought, which is a pity. In fact, some eggs are not spoiled and are still edible. For example, eggs that have broken due to vigorous shaking. The broken yolk in this case is thicker, the protein has not denatured, the yolk and white are easy to separate, and there is no odor, so it can be eaten.
Therefore, the only criterion for whether a broken-yolk egg is edible is its odor. If the egg has a broken yolk and an odor, of course, it cannot be eaten; if there is no odor and it is simply a broken yolk, then it is edible.
Can you eat an egg with a cracked shell?
Experts explain that an intact shell prevents bacteria from entering the egg white, but a cracked egg loses this protection, increasing the risk of bacterial contamination. It is not only difficult to store but can also easily cause gastrointestinal discomfort after consumption. However, a slightly cracked egg is not entirely inedible. If it was accidentally broken on the same day, it can be stir-fried and eaten without any problem. However, if it has been 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 also have an expiration date, and you may not know the exact date the eggs were laid, so it is best to eat them as soon as possible. Under normal circumstances, eggs should be refrigerated. At 2°C to 5°C, the shelf life of eggs is 40 days, while at room temperature in the summer, the shelf life is reduced to about 10 days.