To know if eggs are bad, you can use several reliable methods:
1. Float Test
- Fill a bowl with enough water to fully submerge the egg.
- Gently place the egg in the water.
- If the egg sinks and lies flat on its side, it is fresh.
- If it sinks but stands upright, it is older but still safe to eat.
- If it floats, the egg is old and likely bad, so it should be discarded or composted
2. Sniff Test
- Crack the egg open into a clean bowl or plate.
- Smell the egg immediately.
- A bad egg will have a distinct, unpleasant sulfuric or rotten odor.
- If there is no off smell, the egg is likely safe to use
3. Visual Inspection
- Check the eggshell for cracks, sliminess, or powdery mold.
- After cracking, look for any discoloration in the yolk or whites (such as pink or iridescent colors), which indicates bacterial growth.
- Runny whites or yolks can indicate the egg is old but not necessarily bad
4. Shake Test (Less Reliable)
- Hold the egg near your ear and gently shake it.
- If you hear liquid sloshing, the egg may be old and watery inside, possibly bad.
- If you hear nothing, the egg is likely fresh
Additional Notes
- Even if an egg floats, it may still be safe; cracking it open and checking odor and appearance is the best confirmation.
- Eating bad eggs can cause foodborne illness such as salmonella, so when in doubt, discard the egg
- Proper storage in the refrigerator and cooking eggs until both yolk and white are firm reduces risk
Using these methods together-float test, sniff test, and visual inspection- provides a good assessment of egg freshness and safety.
