How long is it safe to keep uncooked eggs in the fridge?
The shelf life of a unrefrigerated, uncooked egg is 7 to 10 days, while a refrigerated, uncooked egg can last from 30 to 45 days.
What is the best way to store eggs?
The safest way to store eggs is to refrigerate them in their original carton inside the refrigerator, instead of the door.
This is because the temperature inside the fridge is more constant and regulated than the door.
A temperature between 19°C-21°C during winter and 21°C -23°C in the summer is ideal.
How do you tell if an egg is expired or not?
The carton will usually have an expiration date printed on it, but this is not the only way to tell.
There are two other ways: the first, using your eyes and nose. An expired or off egg will give off an unmistakable smell. If you cannot tell while the egg is still in the shell, crack the egg and check for any foul odour.
If an eggshell is slimy, cracked or powdery, it may be off.
The second way to check if an egg is expired is to perform a ‘float test’.
To perform this test, set the egg in a bowl of water. If the egg starts to sink, it is fresh and safe to use.
If the egg floats or even tilts upwards, it is old or expired.
Can you freeze eggs?
You should never freeze eggs in the shell. Eggs expand when they are frozen, so to freeze whole eggs including the yolk, crack the eggs and blend the contents together in a freezer container.
Eggs can last in the freezer for up to one year.
To freeze eggs whites, separate them from the yolk and place them in ice cube trays.
Freezing egg yolks can be a little tricky, as the cold temperature may cause the yolk to thicken or turn into a gel-like consistency.
In order to avoid this, add 1/8 of a teaspoon of salt to every 1/4 cup of egg yolks if it is for a savoury dish. For a sweet dish, add 1 1/2 teaspoons of sugar before freezing.
When it is time to cook your eggs after freezing them, thaw the eggs overnight in the fridge or run them under cold water. Use the thawed whole eggs or yolks immediately after thawing.
