We are used to eating eggs since we are small, we have it very assimilated in our diet. In fact, it is one of the most complete foods that we can eat every day and its versatility helps us to prepare countless recipes with them. The most common dish in Spain is the fried egg with potatoes, a tasty and nutritious fast food, but how do we know that the egg that we are going to prepare is in good condition? We are going to give some tips to avoid poisoning.
Eggs have been in our diet for hundreds of years and although it is an unsuitable food in vegan diets, many experts continue to insist on the importance of consuming them, even sporadically.
Technically, there are no quality differences (in terms of nutrients) between an egg from free-range hens, from other raised on the ground (on the floor of industrial buildings), from those that unfortunately live in cages the size of an A4 sheet. Where there are differences is in the life of the hen.
An egg provides more than 6 grams of protein , essential vitamins such as B12, riboflavin, niacin, folic acid, among others, and minerals such as calcium, iron, copper, zinc and sodium. A simple, cheap and nutritious product, in addition, suitable for all and all ages, unless a doctor says otherwise.
How long does an egg last?
For large families or households where many people live, dozens of eggs tend to run out quickly, however, for those who live alone, exhausting a dozen can take more than a month on many occasions. We belong to one group or another, it is interesting to know if the egg that we have taken out of the refrigerator in is in good condition or if it is better to discard it.
As a general rule, and keeping the eggs in a continuous cold chain, they can last between 3 and 5 weeks. However, out of the fridge they last 7 to 10 days.
For better conservation, according to the ICU, the eggs must be placed at the bottom of the refrigerator, since more temperature changes appear on the door, which will cause this food to spoil sooner. According to experts, it is not recommended to eat eggs that have been more than 28 days old, and they also advise against leaving an egg in the fridge for more than 2 hours and then consuming it.
As an interesting note, if we freeze an egg, for whatever reason, it is best not to wait for it to thaw whole, but to reach the point where the shell can break and pour it into the pan or wherever we are going to use it. . It is important to follow the 2 hour rule, beyond that there is a risk of contamination.
What if I eat a bad egg?
A bad egg can cause mild or very serious intoxication depending on the amount we eat, the state of expiration and whether there are salmonella bacteria or not.
A poisoning from eating eggs that are expired or out of date has unpleasant symptoms that range from nausea, dizziness, vomiting and diarrhea of various kinds, to fever from the infection.
This is why it is always recommended to consume food as soon as possible, at least fresh, since packaged foods tend to have a more certain and longer expiration date.
Another basic tip to avoid poisoning is to clean the egg cup thoroughly and place the eggs there, thus discarding the cartons that can breed microorganisms.
Before moving on to the next section, it should be said that the eggs do not have to be cleaned, we only break them, discard the shells and continue with the recipe. If we wash the eggs, we remove the protective waterproof film and we will be creating a free access door for bacteria and macro-organisms.
Ways to detect the state of an egg
There are different ways to find out if the egg that we are going to eat is in good condition or it is better to dispose of it in the organic container. We are going to point out only the most reliable tricks, since there are others that just hoaxes.
A glass of water
It is the oldest trick that exists to know if the egg we want to cook is in good condition or not. It is the fastest and most reliable method, as looking at the date may not be a good idea. It may be that its expiration date is at the end of the month and the egg is not completely fresh, because the chances of poisoning increase if we wait for the deadline.
We fill a glass of water and wait for the following behaviors:
- If the egg sinks horizontally quickly and easily, it is a sign that it is fresh and in good condition.
- If it takes a while to sink, we are halfway to good condition and it is time to discard it, so we can consume it, but when you open it, it is better to see and smell it.
- If it stays floating it is an indication that it is rotten and in bad condition and should go directly to the organic container.
Shake the egg
This is another way to ensure that this egg is still in good condition to be consumed or not. For this trick we must tune the ear, since it will be the one that will tell us if we cook it or not …
By shaking the egg near our ear we can hear several sounds, but only two are real indicative:
- If it sounds like a liquid, it is because it is bad.
- If it sounds compact or directly you do not hear any liquid, congratulations, that egg can be consumed perfectly.
Break it up and watch it on a plate
This trick is the definitive one, if we do not trust the water, or our own sense of hearing. This advice is basic and very key, in addition, it is used in haute cuisine. Only when we see a broken egg, is when we can confirm 100% if it is in good condition or not.
The white should be gelatinous, almost transparent, it should not smell strong, or have stains, or color changes, or blood, or pieces of anything. The yolk must remain compact and more or less centered, otherwise, if the yolk spreads when the egg is broken, it is an unequivocal sign that it is not fresh. It can be consumed, yes, but we could have mild stomach upset.
If we have taken the eggs and we have put them to cook without having carried out any of the previous tests, then we will have to detect the state of the eggs after they are cooked.
Once opened in the middle, if the yolk has a dark color, is displaced to one side or stuck to the shell, it is not very fresh. However, if the yolk has a normal color, the egg smells good and the yolk is well centered, it is fresh and we can consume it.