Use This Easy Trick to Test Egg Freshness

With the price of eggs continuing to rise, you may want to ensure you never waste a single one. That's at least true for the people of Reddit, who often ask questions about how long eggs can be left outside of the fridge and still be safe to eat or how long they last in general.

These questions typically arise so we don't waste food or money. According to a recent CNET survey, 93% of Americans are worried about inflation and 77% are experiencing "sticker shock" when buying groceries. It's becoming increasingly important to Americans to stretch their dollar -- and in this case -- their egg. 

We spoke with a food safety expert to learn everything you need to know about properly storing your eggs so you can safely eat each one. 

How long do eggs last in the fridge?

According to the US Department of Agriculture, eggs typically stay good for three to five weeks in the fridge. However, they "often remain safe to eat for a week or two beyond that date, as long as they've been kept refrigerated," said Zachary Cartwright, a member of Food Safety & Quality Management Division at the Institute of Food Technologists and lead food scientist at AQUALAB by Addium.

There are, however, ways to maximize an egg's freshness. Cartwright says you should keep your eggs in their original carton and "with the pointed end down to help maintain their freshness by keeping the air cell at the top. This slows moisture loss and keeps the yolk centered."

It is also important to store eggs in the coldest part of your fridge rather than the door since the temperature fluctuates in that area, he says. 

Cooked eggs stay good for about a week in the fridge, according to the USDA.  

Why do we refrigerate eggs?

"In the US, eggs must be refrigerated due to the washing process that removes the natural protective coating on the shell, making them more susceptible to bacteria," Cartwright says. "In some other countries, eggs are not refrigerated because they retain their protective coating. However, once eggs are refrigerated, they should remain so to prevent condensation, which can promote bacterial growth."  

According to State Food Safety, the US washes its eggs to prevent the spread of salmonella. The USDA also recommends that eggs from a hen be stored in the fridge as soon as possible after they are gathered. 

Is the best-buy date on eggs accurate?

Cartwright says that the best-by date on eggs is "a guideline, not a strict rule," adding that eggs are often good for one to two weeks after the date printed on the carton as long as they've been refrigerated. 

"As eggs age, their quality diminishes -- they may lose some firmness, and the whites might become thinner -- but they can still be safe to eat," he says.   

Here's a rundown of how expiration dates work and why you shouldn't always take them at face value.

How to test egg freshness at home

If you want to check if your eggs are still good before you crack them, you can perform a simple float test with your egg and a glass of cold water. 

First, fill a large glass with cold water, then gently drop the egginside. If the egg sinks and turns to its side, it's still perfectly good to eat. If the egg sinks, but stays upright, it's also still okay to eat, but it is an older egg and should be used soon. If the egg floats straight to the top of the water, that's your sign that it has gone bad and should be thrown out. 

"This test works because air builds up inside the egg as it ages, making it more buoyant," Cartwright says.

One important thing to remember about the egg test is that if one of the eggs in the carton passes the test, that doesn't mean all of them will. Make sure to individually test each one before cooking it and pay attention to the smell after you crack the egg open. "A strong, sulfur-like odor is a clear sign the egg has gone bad," Cartwright says.

Something else to look out for is "unusual coloring, such as a pink, green, or iridescent hue in the egg white or yolk, which can indicate bacterial contamination," Cartwright adds. 

Can I freeze eggs?

Yes, but not in their shell. One option for freezing eggs is to crack them, then beat them together before storing. Or you can freeze the egg yolks and whites separately. According to the USDA, the whites are more optimal for freezing because the texture stays the same, but if you want to freeze the yolks, you'll need to add salt and corn syrup or sugar to help with the consistency. Individual eggs can be frozen separately in ice cube trays and muffin pans, and they can stay frozen for up to one year.