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Cooking Tips

How to tell if an egg is rotten?
Cooking Tips

How to tell if an egg is rotten?

By Gretel Morales - 2022-10-13T16:15:50Z
Eggs are one of the most complete foods, so they are a must at breakfast, whether they are fried, scrambled, boiled, or in sauce. Additionally, this ingredient is also essential for making cookies, cakes, and all kinds of desserts.  

Since it is such an essential food in our lives, it is important to keep it in good condition and learn to identify if it is no longer fresh. So, on this occasion, at kiwilimón, we set out to investigate how to tell if an egg is rotten, take note! 

You can also read: Should eggs be washed before cooking?

How to tell if an egg is rotten? 
Besides being very unpleasant to think about eating a rotten egg by mistake, it would also be very harmful to your health, as you could get sick and even contract salmonella. But don't worry, there are 3 very effective ways to identify if an egg is rotten. 

3 ways to tell if eggs are rotten 

1. Smell them 
Identifying the smell of the egg will be essential to determine whether you can still cook it or if you should throw it away, since, if it is rotten, it will emit a horrible smell that you will notice immediately. So if the egg is in perfect condition, it should have no smell.  

2. Check the egg 
Another way to identify a rotten egg is by sight. In this case, you should examine and look for cracks or sticky substances or powder on the egg.  

According to the Healthline website, when the egg is cracked or has a sticky substance on the surface, this may indicate that there are bacteria, while the powder could signal that there is mold on the shell.  

On the other hand, if you notice that the yolk or the white is too watery, this could mean that the egg is no longer fresh and its quality is now in doubt, so examine it very well before eating it.  

3. Put the egg in water 
This method is very popular because, although it does not tell you if the egg is rotten, it does help you identify if the egg is too old.  

1. Fill a bowl with water. 
2. Place the egg in it. 
3. If the egg sinks, it means it is still fresh. 
4. If the egg floats to the surface, it is very old. 

Finally, remember that, even if an egg does not smell bad, is not cracked, and floats, it is important to cook it very well to avoid any health risks.  

You can also read: Should chicken be washed before cooking?

How long do eggs stay fresh? 
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, eggs that have been refrigerated are fresh and in good condition for 3 to 5 weeks.  

Is it dangerous to eat a rotten egg? 
Remember that the importance of knowing if an egg is rotten is to protect our health, as it can be dangerous. For example, the Medical News Today portal indicates that eating a bad egg or one that is not well-cooked could result in a case of salmonella. 

Salmonella causes symptoms such as:
  • Abdominal pain 
  • Diarrhea 
  • Vomiting 
  • Cramping 
Although it can be treated with antibiotics, the infection can be serious enough to require hospitalization. It is also worth noting that if you feel unwell after eating an egg that looked or smelled a little strange, you should see a doctor.  

You can also read: How to wash different vegetables?

Should eggs be washed before cooking? 
The answer is no, as eggs should not be washed because their shell has an outer layer that is responsible for keeping bacteria away from the yolk and white. If you wash the eggs, the film disappears, and it is easy for bacteria to penetrate inside the egg.