Eggs: Difference between revisions
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This removes salmonella on the outside, | This removes salmonella on the outside, | ||
but | but that washing also thins the protective cuticle (a layer on top of the actual shell). | ||
So while | So while this treatment makes it almost certain the egg is fine ''now'', | ||
it more easily spoils after this treatment - the thinner cuticle means bacteria (salmonella or | it more easily spoils ''after'' this treatment - the thinner cuticle means bacteria (salmonella or other) will more easily enter the egg. | ||
Which isn't much of an issue if you refrigerate them, because that slows both | Which isn't much of an issue if you refrigerate them, because that slows both bacteria entering, and their grows once they're there. | ||
Most European countries | Most European countries addressed the same issue by increasing sanitary requirements, | ||
making salmonella outbreaks rarer to start with. | and in particular vaccinating hens against salmonella, making salmonella outbreaks rarer to start with. | ||
Eggs are washed, | Eggs are washed, but not thoroughly disinfected, | ||
because if salmonella is unlikely in the hen there won't be any in or on the egg, | because if salmonella is unlikely in the hen, there won't be any in or on the egg, | ||
and keeping the cuticle intact means the eggs keep better, also outside the fridge. | and keeping the cuticle intact means the eggs keep better, also outside the fridge. | ||
(it in fact seems illegal in most (but not all) of the EU to disinfect eggs{{verify}}, | (it in fact seems illegal in most (but not all) of the EU to disinfect eggs{{verify}}, | ||
roughly because the | roughly because the storage habits around there would make this riskier without your knowledge) | ||
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'''In or out of fridge''' | '''In or out of fridge''' | ||
US eggs | US eggs inside the fridge are probably good for 1..3 weeks. | ||
US eggs | US eggs outside the fridge ''might'' go bad faster. | ||
In the worst case this happens within hours, | |||
but typically they last ''much'' longer than that. | |||
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...and ''maybe'' 4..5 weeks inside the fridge, but that's not certain, | ...and ''maybe'' 4..5 weeks inside the fridge, but that's not certain, | ||
and people ''really'' don't like crossing the best-by date | and people ''really'' don't like crossing the best-by date which you should assume is the 'if kept outside' date. | ||
There also seem to be a few countries (including EU countries) that do something inbetween - they do wash, | There also seem to be a few countries (including EU countries) that do something inbetween - they do wash, | ||
also ''recommend'' to refrigerate, | also ''recommend'' to refrigerate, | ||
yet seemingly put in a conservative best-by date that is the 'if kept outside' date. | |||
From a quick poll, it seems pretty much all americans put eggs in the fridge | From a quick poll, it seems pretty much all americans put eggs in the fridge - but so do a good chunk of europeans, | ||
with some patterns per country. | |||
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Moving a cold egg quickly into a warmer environment means condensation, | Moving a cold egg quickly into a warmer environment means condensation, | ||
and condensation makes it slightly easier for bacteria to grow on eggs treated ''any'' way | and condensation makes it slightly easier for bacteria to grow on eggs treated ''any'' way. Which on US eggs also means penetration. | ||
So with the US's treatment, it's best to only take eggs out of the fridge when you will actually use them. | So with the US's treatment, it's best to only take eggs out of the fridge when you will actually use them. | ||
Not a huge deal if you don't, but a good habit. | Not a huge deal if you don't, but it's a good habit to have. | ||
Condensation related bacteria is less pronounced in the EU treatment. | |||
Note that if you keep them outside, then it's still ''useful'' to store them at a temperature below room temperature, but ''not'' refrigerated. | |||
Supermarkets do this so that condensation on the trip home is much less likely. | |||
For related reasons, the fridge door is not the | For related reasons, the fridge door is technically not the best place unless there's also a cover, because this is a place with some of the largest air-temperature fluctuation, and thereby more condensation. | ||
Revision as of 13:55, 12 August 2023