Eggs are one of the complete foods, so they cannot be missing at breakfast time, whether crushed, scrambled, boiled or in the sauce. In addition, this ingredient is also essential for making cookies, cakes and all kinds of desserts.

Because it is such an essential food in our lives, it is crucial to keep it in good condition and learn to identify if it is no longer fresh. So, this time, at kiwilimón, we investigated how to know if an egg is rotten; take note!

How to know if an egg is rotten?

In addition to the fact that it is very unpleasant to think about eating a rotten egg by mistake, it would also be awful for your health since you could get sick and even get salmonella, but do not worry, there are three very effective ways to identify if an egg is rotten

Three ways to tell if eggs are rotten

1. Smell them

Identifying the smell of the egg will be essential to determine if you can still cook it or if you should throw it away since, if it is rotten, it will emit a horrible smell, and you will notice it immediately. So in case the egg is in perfect condition, it should not have any scent.

2. Check the egg

Another way to identify a rotten egg is by sight. In this case, you will need to examine and look for cracks or sticky or powdery substances in the egg.

According to the Healthline portal, when the egg is broken or has a sticky substance on the surface, this can indicate that there are bacteria, while dust could suggest mould on the shell.

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

3. Put the egg in water

This method is prevalent 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. Enter the egg.
3. If the egg sinks, it is still fresh.
4. If the egg floats to the top, it is ancient.

Finally, remember that even if an egg doesn’t smell foul, isn’t cracked, and floats, it is essential that you cook it very well to avoid any health risks.

How long do eggs stay fresh?

According to the United States Department of Agriculture, eggs that have been refrigerated are fresh and suitable 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 take care of our health, as it can become dangerous. For example, the Medical News Today portal indicates that eating an egg in poor condition or not well cooked could end in a case of salmonella.

Salmonella causes symptoms such as:

• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhoea
• Threw up
• Colic

Although it can be treated with antibiotics, the infection can become so severe that hospitalization is required. It’s also worth noting that you should see a doctor if you feel unwell after eating an egg that looked or smelled a bit odd.

Are the eggs washed before cooking?

The answer is no, since eggs should not be washed because their shell has an outer layer responsible for keeping bacteria away from the yolk and white. If you pass the eggs, the film disappears, and it is easy for bacteria to get inside the egg.