Buzz
Chicken and duck eggs are versatile and nutritious foods, but they are prone to bacterial contamination during transportation, use, and storage. To ensure the health of your family, you need to follow some principles when selecting and using these types of eggs safely.
When choosing chicken and duck eggs:
When buying chicken or duck eggs, choose those with clean and fresh outer shells. Do not buy eggs with many stains, cracks, or holes as they can be infected with dangerous bacteria. The color of the eggshell is normal, with a pinkish-white color, not too shiny. When touching the eggshell, it should feel slightly rough, and the outer surface of the eggshell may have some powder.
To determine if the eggs are still good, you can shake them without hearing any sound. If there is a sound, it means the eggs have been stored for a long time.
Illuminate eggs against a light source by holding the egg in your hand, slightly opening both ends, and observing one side against sunlight or the light of a red lamp. Check for blood spots, parasites, or anything unusual inside the egg. Fresh eggs have a translucent pink color, with a pink spot in the middle, an air sac with a diameter of not more than 1cm, and a fixed, non-moving perimeter. If the egg is not fresh, it may show a red color with multiple veins when illuminated, and the air sac is wider than 1.5cm. Spoiled, rotten, or moldy eggs display uneven colors and may appear cloudy gray.
To choose good eggs, consider their weight: Egg weight should be appropriate for each type, chicken eggs: 40 – 50g/egg, duck eggs: 50-60g/egg. Industrial chicken eggs are larger than regular chicken eggs, and duck eggs are larger than chicken eggs. Eggs that are too large or too small are not ideal because overly large eggs have a high water content and are challenging to store and transport. Alternatively, you can float the eggs in a 10% saltwater solution: if the egg sinks, it has been stored for 3 – 5 days. If the egg floats on the surface, it has been stored for over 5 days.
Tips for prolonging the freshness of chicken and duck eggs:
After purchase, quickly place the eggs in the refrigerator. Fresh eggs can be refrigerated for about 5 weeks after packaging. If the packaging of the egg carton does not specify the packaging date, you can refrigerate them for approximately 3 weeks from the purchase date.
Many people have the habit of placing chicken eggs in water, cleaning them, and then storing them, but this method does not preserve the eggs for long. It's best to use a soft cotton cloth, dampen it, and thoroughly wipe each egg. This helps remove dust and dirt, keeping the eggs clean and extending their freshness.
According to the habit and convenience of storing chicken eggs, many people often place the larger end of the egg downward. However, doing so makes the egg yolk prone to sticking to the shell, reducing its shelf life. Reverse the process by placing the smaller end downward for better egg preservation, whether at room temperature or in the refrigerator.
Apply a layer of vegetable oil on eggs: This handy trick has been widely adopted and proven effective in preserving the freshness of chicken eggs. After wiping the eggs clean with a damp cloth, you can use a small amount of vegetable oil such as soybean oil, olive oil, peanut oil, etc., gently spread it over the entire outer shell of the egg. This helps the egg last longer even under normal conditions.
With just a few simple steps, you can maintain the fresh flavor and nutritional value of both chicken and duck eggs. These tips not only help you choose the freshest and tastiest eggs for your family meals but also contribute to preserving their freshness for an extended period.
