Eggs are one of the most commonly used items in the kitchen. Whether it’s breakfast, baking, or a quick meal, most people have a box sitting in the fridge or cupboard. But even though eggs have a long shelf life, it can sometimes be hard to tell if they’re still safe to eat.
Expiry dates can be helpful, but they don’t always tell the full story. Eggs can often last beyond the date on the box if they’ve been stored properly, while others may go off earlier. Luckily, there’s a simple trick you can use at home to check if your eggs are still fresh, and it only takes a few seconds.
According to Country Living, the easiest way to check if an egg is fresh is by placing it in a bowl or glass of cold water. What happens next can tell you a lot.
If the egg sinks and lies flat on the bottom, it’s very fresh and safe to use.
If it sinks but stands upright, it’s still OK to eat but should be used soon. If it floats to the top, it means the egg is no longer fresh and should be thrown away.
The reason this works is down to how eggs age. Over time, moisture and air start to seep in through the shell.
As the egg gets older, the air pocket inside gets larger, making the egg more buoyant. So, the more it floats, the older it is.
While the float test is a good general guide, it’s always worth cracking the egg into a separate bowl before using it.
A bad smell or unusual colour is a clear sign that it’s gone off, even if it passed the water test.
Eggs should be kept in a cool, constant temperature, usually in the fridge, and should be returned to the fridge as soon as possible after use.
You should also avoid washing eggs before storing them, as this can remove the natural protective layer and speed up spoilage.
Country Living also recommends choosing free-range eggs when possible, not just for quality, but also for animal welfare reasons.
Labels and codes printed on the shell can help you identify how the egg was produced and where it came from.
And for those in vulnerable groups, it’s also important to look for eggs with the red British Lion stamp.
