Brits and Americans do many things differently and enjoy poking fun at each other – but it turns it the US is correct when it comes to egg food storage.
It has often been debated if eggs will keep fresher for longer if stored the ‘British way’ on the countertop or the ‘American way’ which is to keep them in the fridge.
Kelly, a food-preserving expert from Sam Hill Farmstead, has shared that is a “right way” to store is keeping them at a cool and steady temperature, and explained that eggs will last longer when kept in the fridge.
She said: “Fresh eggs that are washed are good in the refrigerator for up to two months or longer!”
Kelly explained that eggs stored on supermarket shelves are already a month old by the time they are ready to be sold, which is why she recommends keeping them in a colder environment.
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She said: “Farmers have 30 days to pack and distribute their eggs for sale after they are laid. After that, they have another month to be sold from the grocery store shelves.”
Eggs will stay fresh for months if stored at a steady temperature of 4C or lower, and the key to keeping eggs fresher for longer is keeping eggs stored at a consistent temperature.
If eggs are not kept at a steady temperature, it can cause condensation build-up and the moisture can attract bacteria which will cause eggs to spoil.
This is why supermarkets keep eggs stored on shelves rather than in fridges as there would be too much of a temperature shift from the fridge, shopping basket and then back into a home fridge.
Fridges will make eggs last a lot longer, but can still keep fresh if kept dry on a countertop, but they will only last a few weeks rather than months.
Kelly said: “Did you know that eggs are laid with a protective coating called a ‘bloom’? The bloom seals the 6,000-8,000 pores of the shell to keep bacteria out.
“Fresh, unwashed eggs can remain on the counter at room temperature for up to two weeks. If they get wet or are washed in any way, they need to be refrigerated.”
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No matter if you prefer storing eggs on the countertop or fridge, you can keep eggs fresher for longer if you store them upside down with the pointy and more narrow side down.
Kelly explained: “This is because the larger end of the egg contains an air cell, and storing the egg with the pointed end down helps to keep the air cell positioned at the top.
“This helps keep the air cell from coming in contact with the yolk, which helps maintain the freshness of the egg.
“Second, the eggshell is porous, and the pointed end is thought to have a slightly smaller pore size. Storing the egg with the pointed end down is believed to minimize moisture loss and help preserve the egg’s freshness.”
No matter, if you believe in storing eggs using the American or British method, storing them in the correct position, is the key to cutting down on food waste, saving money on food shopping and keeping eggs at their “ultimate freshness.”
