Eggs are a staple item in most kitchens, but exactly where to store them is still one of those much-debated subjects.
While some households keep them in the cupboard, arguing that they aren’t refrigerated in the supermarkets, others always have them in the fridge.
While most agree UK eggs are safe to keep in the cupboard, because the chickens that lay the eggs are vaccinated against the likes of salmonella, some disagree.
According to Kelly, a food-preserving expert from Sam Hill Farmstead, the best way to keep eggs fresh is to store them at a cool, steady temperature – which means keeping them in the fridge.
She said: “Fresh eggs that are washed are good in the refrigerator for up to two months or longer!”
Kelly also shed light on why eggs found on supermarket shelves are already a month old by the time they’re ready for purchase, hence her recommendation to store them in a cooler environment.
She explained: “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 remain fresh for several months if stored at a consistent temperature of 4C or lower. The key to prolonging their freshness is maintaining a steady temperature.
If this isn’t achieved, condensation can build up, attracting bacteria and causing the 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.”
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 minimise moisture loss and help preserve the egg’s freshness.”
