3 simple tips to tell the difference between old and fresh eggs.

Using fresh eggs not only ensures the quality of your dishes but also protects your health. Therefore, tips for distinguishing old eggs from fresh eggs are very useful for every housewife when shopping for food at the market or supermarket.

Tips for distinguishing old eggs from fresh eggs

You will no longer worry about buying old or spoiled eggs if you apply the following tips for distinguishing between old and fresh eggs.

Observe the eggshell

Fresh eggs have a shiny, smooth shell with clear and even color. The shell of a fresh egg has no tiny cracks. You can also feel that the eggshell is quite hard and not easily broken.

Old eggs usually have a dull-colored shell, which may be rough or uneven. Due to prolonged storage, the eggshell of an old egg may become faded and may sometimes show signs of damage like cracks or mold. Additionally, the shell of an old egg is often thinner and more fragile compared to a fresh egg.

Place in water

One of the simplest and most effective ways to distinguish fresh eggs from old eggs is to place the egg in water. Fresh eggs, when placed in a bowl of water, will sink to the bottom and lie flat or sideways. Fresh eggs are quite heavy, so they sink easily and do not wobble.

Old eggs, when placed in water, will float or stand upright. The reason is that over time, the air inside the eggshell forms a larger air pocket, causing the egg to float.

Shake the egg

Another interesting and simple tip is to shake the egg to check its freshness. A fresh egg will not make any sound or will only produce a faint sound because the egg yolk is intact and not disturbed.

If it’s an old egg, shaking it will make a clinking sound due to the dried-out contents inside the shell, the yolk is no longer firm, and the liquid inside has become thinner.

Hold the egg up to the light

When holding a fresh egg up to the light, especially under bright lights like electric lamps or a flashlight, you will see that the yolk and egg white are intact with no cracks or stains. The yolk will be clearly colored and positioned at the center of the egg.

When holding an old egg up to the light, you will notice that the interior space of the egg is larger, and you can easily spot the presence of an air pocket. Additionally, the yolk may shift to one side or break apart, and the egg white may appear cloudy or slimy, no longer transparent like in a fresh egg.