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Don't throw out those eggs until you've checked if they're fresh. This simple technique will help you cut down on food waste without breaking a single egg.

How to check egg freshness in seconds – no gadgets needed

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If you found an old egg lurking in the fridge, you would probably throw it away — but there's a better way to treat it. Simply test to see how fresh it is first, then decide what you can use it for. Here's the lowdown on checking eggs for freshness.

## How to check egg freshness in water

There's a very simple method to check how fresh your eggs are. All you need is a wide glass or bowl of water, large enough for your egg to be easily submerged. Just follow these steps:

* Place the egg in the water. Do this carefully - if it cracks, you've just wasted an egg and given yourself extra washing up!  
* Leave it to see what it does.  
* If it sinks to the bottom and lies on its side, it's very fresh.  
* If it sinks to the bottom and tilts slightly, it's quite fresh.  
* If it sinks and stands on one end, it's still edible but is getting older.  
* If it floats on the surface, it is rotten and should be discarded.

### Using the egg float test in your kitchen

The egg test is such a quick, foolproof method that it really deserves to be a part of every cook's toolbox. If you've got older eggs, it's best to test them when you're making your [menu and plans](https://www.hellofresh.co.uk/food-box/menu-and-plans) for the week ahead. Any eggs that stand upright in water should be used early in the week.

Test one egg at a time so that they do not bump each other in the water. Be sure to test every egg, not just one from the box, as some eggs go off faster than others.

### How to store eggs

There's a lot of controversy about the best way to store eggs. Online, you'll often see advice from different countries, where methods can vary. For example, in the USA, eggs need to be kept in the fridge due to a specific treatment they go through. However, in the UK and other European countries, it's fine to store eggs out of the fridge.

Regardless of how you store your eggs, you should keep them out of direct sunlight. If you do keep them in the fridge, take them out half an hour before starting any [egg recipes](https://www.hellofresh.co.uk/recipes/vegetarian-recipes/egg). That way, the eggs will cook more evenly and won't crack.

## The best ways to cook very fresh eggs

The fresher the eggs are, the better they hold their shape. That's why if you want to make poached eggs, you'll need to use very fresh eggs. If the eggs are older, you could end up with a watery mess. Fresh eggs can be the star of the breakfast table, as they're also great fried. The white won't spread out all over your pan — that's a sign of an older egg. If you've got some freshly laid goodies, try them in a [cheesy bacon and egg naan-wich](https://www.hellofresh.co.uk/recipes/cheesy-bacon-and-egg-naan-wich-60a4ec18ec22f852074ad87c) or [special spicy sausage sarnie](https://www.hellofresh.co.uk/recipes/special-spicy-sausage-sarnie-65d5b0922fd93ee7e59edd25). Fried with a frilly white, they also make an ideal topping for a [fragrant veggie noodle stir-fry](https://www.hellofresh.co.uk/recipes/fragrant-veggie-noodle-stir-fry-63d94805db1fd0bc84bb972a).

However, when it comes to eggs, fresh isn't always best. You'll have a hard time separating fresh eggs because the white clings harder to the yolk. They're also awkward when boiled — the shell sticks to the inner egg, which makes it very difficult to peel them neatly.

## How to use up older eggs

Don't despair if your eggs aren't totally fresh! Older eggs are actually better for many recipes. As an egg ages, the strong elements that hold the white and the yolk together start to weaken. This means that when you boil them, you'll find that they slip out of the shells very easily. Separating them is simple, so they're great if you want to make meringues or an indulgent chocolate mousse.

The main rule for older eggs is that they won't hold their shape. Don't bother trying to fry or poach them. Instead, use them in a recipe where you're going to beat them: a [herby Italian frittata](https://www.hellofresh.co.uk/recipes/herby-italian-frittata-with-rocket-pesto-5f21772da82e99471d1c3ed2) or other omelette is ideal. They're also great in some [rice recipes](https://www.hellofresh.co.uk/recipes/vegetarian-recipes/rice), like a classic Cantonese egg-fried rice. Oh, and of course, they still taste just as good as a freshly laid egg, so don't worry.

## Check Egg Freshness FAQs

### How can you check egg freshness in water?

Simply place an egg in a bowl of cold water and watch what it does. A fresh egg sinks to the bottom and lies flat on its side. An older—but still fresh egg—stands on one end in the water, while a rotten egg will float to the surface.

### How long do eggs last without refrigeration?

It's estimated that eggs will last around four weeks without being refrigerated. During a heat wave, you should check them for freshness before using them, just to be on the safe side.

### How long do eggs last in the fridge?

Some studies show that eggs can last three months or more when stored in the fridge. However, always check the freshness of an egg that's been in the fridge for a long time before using it.

### How do you keep eggs fresh without refrigeration?

British eggs don't need to be stored in the fridge. They are best kept in a cool, dark cupboard. Make sure to keep them out of direct light and in a place where nobody is likely to accidentally break them.

### Can you eat eggs after two months in the fridge?

You may be able to. Don't cook them without testing them for freshness first, though, as some eggs go off faster than others.

You also might be interested in:

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