Simple ways to distinguish between old and fresh eggs.

Observe the eggshell.

Fresh eggs have shiny, smooth shells with clear, uniform color. The shells are free of tiny cracks. You can also feel that the shells are quite hard and not easily broken.

Old eggs often have dull, rough, or uneven shells. Due to prolonged storage, old eggshells may become dull and sometimes show signs of damage such as cracks or mold. Additionally, the shells of old eggs are usually thinner and more fragile than fresh eggs.

Illustrative image. (Image source: Internet)

Drop in water

One simple and effective way to distinguish between fresh and old eggs is to drop them in water. Fresh eggs will sink to the bottom and lie on their side or horizontally. Fresh eggs are quite heavy, so they sink easily to the bottom and don't wobble.

Old eggs will float or stand upright when placed in water. This is because, over time, the air inside the eggshell forms a larger air pocket, making the egg float more easily.

Touch the eggshell

If you pick up an egg and it feels heavy and the shell is slightly rough to the touch, it's a fresh egg. Conversely, if the egg feels light, smooth, and slippery, it's an old egg.

Egg dance

Another interesting and simple tip is to try shaking the egg to check its freshness. Fresh eggs will make no sound or only a faint sound when shaken because the yolk is intact and not disturbed.

If the eggs are old, you will hear a rattling sound when you shake them because the inside of the eggshell has dried out, the yolk is no longer firm, and the liquid inside has diluted.

Examine the eggs under light.

When examining a fresh egg under light, especially strong light like an electric lamp or flashlight, you will see that the yolk and egg white are still intact, without any cracks or blemishes. The yolk will be clearly colored and located in the center of the egg.

When examining an old egg under light, you'll notice that the space inside is larger and the presence of an air pocket is more easily visible. Additionally, the yolk may be shifted to one side or broken, and the egg white may become cloudy or slimy, no longer as transparent as a fresh egg.

Tips for distinguishing between free-range chicken eggs and factory-farmed chicken eggs.

Free-range chicken eggs have a delicious flavor and are more nutritious, so they are usually sold at a higher price than industrially farmed eggs. Therefore, many people have used acidic bleaching agents to adulterate industrially farmed eggs in order to counterfeit free-range chicken eggs. To avoid being cheated, carefully observe the external appearance; industrially farmed eggs are always larger and heavier than free-range chicken eggs.

Free-range chicken eggs are small, naturally yellow, and sometimes have a slightly dirty appearance due to traditional farming methods. Bleached eggs have a pinkish-white shell, appearing dusty, overly clean, and lacking the natural shine. Industrially produced eggs, when bleached, have a thinner shell, making them more fragile and prone to spoilage. In particular, if you notice that the egg white is not clear but rather whitish or clumpy, you should discard it as it may have been treated with bleaching chemicals.

Notes on storing eggs

- Avoid storing eggs in the refrigerator door: Although refrigerators often have racks for storing eggs, storing them in the door is not a good idea. Because the door is opened frequently, the temperature there is uneven and constantly changing, causing the eggs to spoil quickly. Therefore, the best way is to wash the eggs, then put them in a cardboard box before storing them in the refrigerator's crisper drawer!

- Egg storage time: Eggs stored in the refrigerator should only be kept for 3-5 weeks. Once removed from the refrigerator, eggs should be used within 2 hours; they will spoil if left longer.

Source: https://kinhtedothi.vn/cac-cach-phan-biet-trung-cu-hay-moi-cuc-don-gian.html