1. The Water Test:
- Fill a bowl or glass with water and gently place the egg in it.
- Fresh Egg: Sinks and lays flat on the bottom.
- Slightly Old Egg: Stands upright on the bottom or tilts.
- Bad Egg: Floats to the surface.
- Crack the egg open and give it a sniff.
- Fresh Egg: No smell or a very mild scent.
- Bad Egg: Strong, unpleasant odor.
- Look for any unusual discoloration or spots on the shell.
- Fresh Egg: Clean, intact shell with no cracks or stains.
- Bad Egg: Discoloration or a cracked shell may indicate spoilage.
- Gently shake the egg near your ear.
- Fresh Egg: No sound or a very faint sound (the contents are still solid).
- Bad Egg: A sloshing sound indicates the egg has gone bad.
- Look for the sell-by or expiration date on the carton.
- Fresh Egg: Generally, eggs can be good for 3-5 weeks past the sell-by date if stored properly in the refrigerator.
- Bad Egg: If the date is significantly past or you are unsure, use the other tests to confirm freshness.