How to store fresh chicken eggs?
Should they be kept in the fridge or not?
Do you also ask yourself the question?
Actually, that's a very good question.
And the answer is not that obvious...
If, like me, you are used to keeping your eggs cold, you will be surprised.
Because did you know that it is not necessarily recommended to keep them in the fridge? Here's why:
First, I want to reassure you.
We're not the only ones wondering if it's better to keep eggs in the fridge or not.
Leading researchers have racked their brains to figure out the best way to store eggs...
...and this, of course, without danger to health.
These studies conclude that it is not essential to put the eggs in the fridge.
To reach this conclusion, the scientists put a batch of eggs in a refrigerator with a temperature of 6°C.
They also left another batch of eggs at room temperature.
Then they tested both batches for salmonellosis, E.coli, listeria and other bacteria.
After 15 days:nothing to report. There was no difference between the two categories of eggs.
No more bacteria in either.
The researchers therefore concluded that there was no particular benefit to keeping them cool.
So you can keep them outside or in a cupboard without any problem.
In fact what is important is to avoid temperature differences.
And you've probably noticed it while shopping...
In the supermarket, eggs are not kept in refrigerated shelves.
And this, regardless of how the eggs are packaged (in bulk, in boxes...),
They are just stored on conventional shelves. Why?
Quite simply to avoid temperature differences from the place of production to the place of sale.
Thus, we are sure that the eggs do not undergo no thermal shocks successive.
The shell is a real natural protection.
But significant temperature changes have the particularity of weakening it.
If the egg is subjected to thermal shocks, condensation will form.
Bacteria can then more easily cross the eggshell to nest in the egg.
On the other hand, many foodies believe that putting eggs in the fridge is culinary heresy.
Why ? First because of taste.
As chef Raymond Blanc reminds us, the taste of eggs is altered when they are refrigerated.
As we have seen, the shell of the egg is porous.
Which means it absorbs odors very easily.
It's very nice if you place a truffle next to your eggs to make delicious truffled eggs.
But if your eggs sit alongside camembert, chopped onions or garlic in your fridge…
There is every chance that the taste of these strong foods will contaminate them. Your egg will then have a funny flavor...
So that's a good reason to fight against bad smells in the fridge!
Then, if you cook cold eggs straight from the fridge, you risk having bad surprises.
Indeed, eggs may mix less easily with other foods.
This is also why we recommend taking the eggs out of the fridge in advance to make a good homemade mayonnaise.
Another good question!
Indeed, on the box of eggs we see the words "Keep in the refrigerator after purchase .
Weird isn't it?
In fact, this little sentence is mandatory.
Consumers are advised to put their eggs in the fridge to avoid temperature differences.
For example in collective catering, eggs must be stored at + 5°C.
Although they are often powdered for sanitary reasons.
Be aware, however, that some scientists have another idea on the matter.
They think that the conservation of eggs must be done in the fridge.
This is particularly the case in the School of Veterinary Science, one of the universities of Bristol in the United Kingdom.
According to Drs. Rosamund Baird and Janet Corry, it is important to keep eggs cool and avoid any temperature differences.
This is also the opinion of the Ministry of Agriculture, which believes that this type of conservation allows them to be kept longer.
In the United States, be aware that eggs are also sold and kept in fridges.
Know that this recommendation is especially valid to avoid the development of salmonellosis.
But in any case, the risk is very low!
So you have peace of mind keeping them
- When it is very hot , it is better to keep the eggs in the fridge.
Is it very hot in your kitchen?
You don't have a cool place to store the eggs as we used to? So it is better to put them in the fridge.
The idea here is also to avoid excessive temperature differences.
- Do you want to keep your eggs for a long time? Here too, it is better to keep the eggs cool in the fridge. They will keep better longer.
But be careful, even when stored in the fridge, some mistakes must be avoided.
- Paradoxically, the egg tray in the fridge (you know that compartment in cells that is difficult to clean) is not the ideal place to keep your eggs.
- You shouldn't put them in the fridge door either. Repeated opening and closing of the door causes the eggs to move constantly. And it is to be avoided.
- In addition, it subjects the eggs to repeated temperature variations.
- To store your eggs in the right way, it is best to leave them in their original packaging or in a dedicated egg carton, like this one at the bottom of a fridge shelf.
- Finally, one last little tip:it is also best to keep them pointing down.
In the end, to sum up, the important thing is not so much to put your eggs in or out of the fridge.
But they must not be subjected to a temperature difference.
It is very important to ensure that the temperature of the place where they are located remains stable and cool.
Thus, it is not recommended to store eggs near the oven.
There must not be any strong odors in the air.
The environment must be healthy :no odors, but no germs or bacteria either,
This implies that you must regularly clean your fridge if you keep them cool. Here's how.
And of course, it's better to buy them as you go rather than stocking them up.
Did you know that, like many other products, you can freeze eggs if you have too many?
But without the shell! We then separate the yolk and the white, using this technique.
And we take freezer bags, clearly indicating the date of the freezing day and the number of eggs on them.
