If you have an egg or two sitting in the refrigerator for awhile and you’re not too sure if they’re still fresh enough to eat, here are a few easy ways to help you determine freshness…

• If an egg is held in the palm and shaken gently and a rattle is felt, it is not very fresh; when newly laid the thick white cushions the yolk and the egg is solid when shaken. Source ^[1]
• A fresh one will sink in water. If it floats, it’s not fresh. Source ^[2]
• When you crack it into a frying pan, the white will be dense and hold well around the yolk. If it’s not as fresh, the white will run and spread over the pan.

Yolk Color

• A deep bright yellow yolk is a sign of freshness since yolks can pale over time, however yolk color really doesn’t mean much since the diet of the hen will affect the color.

Cloudy

• If the white is cloudy, that’s a sign it’s very fresh.

Storage Tips:

• They can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one month before being eaten. If you hardboil one, it can be refrigerated for up to one week before eating.
• Leave them in the carton instead of inside the refrigerator door holder. This will help prevent them from absorbing the food odors in the fridge.

Is it raw or hardboiled?

• Spinning an egg will let you know if it’s raw or hardboiled. If it wobbles, it’s raw. A steady spin is hardboiled.