Should We Keep Eggs In Or Out Of The Fridge?

Have you ever wondered why eggs are kept at room temperature in the supermarket but in our homes we usually store them in the fridge? Do you want to know if eggs should be in or out of the fridge? In this article we’ll give you the answer and share other recommendations to keep them properly.

Is it better to leave eggs in or out of the fridge?

Eggs are an excellent food for human consumption. They are considered to contain the best dietary protein and a high content of essential vitamins and minerals, according to an article published in Advances in Food and Nutrition Research . Therefore, it is important to know how to preserve them in the best way.

At home, it is best to leave the eggs in the fridge, especially in summer. Egg whites are very dense and, over the days, small amounts of air enter the interior of the egg, pushing it and reducing its density.

It’s best to leave eggs in their original carton on a refrigerator shelf. Although we are in the habit of placing them in the specific part of the fridge for eggs, this is not the most recommendable place, since it is the part of the fridge that suffers most from temperature variations.

By leaving eggs in their packaging, they will be protected from changes in temperature, odors, bumps and contact with other foods. In addition, the packaging has information about the product’s expiration date, since it is not mandatory that it be indicated on the eggshell, and this is essential for us to know until when we should consume them.

So why are eggs kept at room temperature in the supermarket?

Eggs do not need refrigeration to stay good if the room temperature is 25°C. In fact, it is convenient that they are not refrigerated in the supermarket because the cuticle, that is, the thin layer that surrounds the egg under the shell, can break off with a sudden change in temperature.

Therefore, the important thing is to keep the egg at a constant temperature. It’s easier to do this if it’s kept at room temperature in the supermarket and continues to do so until it gets home.

More questions besides storing eggs inside or outside the fridge

How do you know if an egg is fresh?

One way to assess freshness is to check the consistency of the egg whites. A fresh egg has two parts in the white: a more solid and a liquid one ; it is often easy to tell them apart. When the egg is fresher, the dense white is firmer and more gelatinous and loses this firmness as the food loses its freshness. When it is difficult to identify the two parts, it means that the egg is not so fresh.

Another way to assess freshness is to put the egg in a glass of water. If it sinks, it means it has little air and is fresh.

Can we consume eggs after the expiration date?

Eggs can be eaten a few days after the preferred consumption date if they have been kept refrigerated and the shell is intact and clean. This preferred consumption date, which is not the same as the expiration date, is a maximum of 28 days from the date of manufacture. Eggs can be considered fresh if:

• Are well maintained.
• Maintain their quality and safety.

Do you need to wash the eggs?

Eggs can be washed before consumption, but not right after purchase. Water pressure can break the cuticle and leave them more exposed to salmonella.

This bacterium is capable of causing discomfort and problems in intestinal transit, ranging from mild cases to more serious ones, according to a study published in the journal Clinical Microbiology Review.

Salmonella infection can occur if good hygiene practices are not followed in the kitchen. Therefore, it is essential:

• Wash hands when handling eggs.
• Clean utensils after touching eggs.
• Cook eggs at a high enough temperature.
• Keep them in the refrigerator after preparation, if they are not for immediate consumption.
• Do not leave them at room temperature, especially in summer.

Egg conservation is simple

It’s not difficult to keep eggs in good condition. The only precaution we must take is not to wash them before storing them. As for the storage place, the ideal is to keep them in the refrigerator, although they are able to adapt well to many conditions of temperature and humidity if kept in their original packaging.