How Long do Eggs Last

Eggs are a very common food item present in almost every household. People consume eggs for either breakfast, lunch or dinner. Eggs are highly nutritious and have tremendous health benefits, and there is no doubt in that. The only thing people have doubts is when it comes to an egg's shelf-life, or rather the duration for which they remain edible. This is a valid question considering the fact that it takes a significant period of time for them to reach the market from the farms, and from the market to people's houses. Nobody likes consuming stale products, and therefore answers to questions regarding an egg's freshness are discussed below.

Eggs' Shelf Life in Fridge

If you store raw eggs in your refrigerator, they tend to retain their freshness and can be consumed anytime within 5 weeks. In case you have stored hard cooked eggs in your fridge, they will last for about a week.

There is a particular manner in which you need to store eggs in your refrigerator. Raw eggs should be placed either on the lower or middle shelf, and not in the door. Care should be taken to ensure the eggs are not kept in proximity of any meat or raw produce, to prevent them from getting spoiled. Preferably, do not remove the cartoon covering while storing.

Eggs After the Expiration Date

When you purchase egg cartons which have the USDA grade-mark, you will find a date on the cartoon called 'Julian Date'. This is the date when eggs were packed into the cartoon. Apart from this date, you may also find an expiration date. This date is the one after which they cannot be sold, even though they may be safe to consume. The expiration date, generally, is 30 days after the Julian date, provided the egg cartoon is USDA registered. So look out for the Julian date on egg cartoons before picking them up.

How Long do Hard-boiled Eggs Last?

Eggs cooked in their shell are known as hard-boiled. They can last for about one week if stored properly in the refrigerator. If you find the shell is discolored or has become dry, you can throw away the eggs. Hard-boiled eggs are famous for the peculiar odor they emit. The smell is natural due to the chemical reactions that have taken place while cooking, so don't worry.

Compared to raw eggs, hard-boiled ones are more vulnerable to spoilage. This is because while cooking, the cuticle (a waxy protective layer) from egg shells is lost. As a result of this, open pores formed on the egg's surface makes it easier for bacteria to enter inside and contaminate the egg.

How to Check Whether Eggs are Good for Consumption or Not

If, you are unsure of how long you have left the eggs in your fridge, or the Julian date on the egg cartoon is not visible, or you just want to ensure the egg is safe for consumption, there are a couple of ways to figure it out.

A very simple and basic method is to hold the egg between your thumb and index finger, and shake it close to your ear. If you don't hear anything, it means the egg is good to use, but if it babbles, it has gone rotten.

The above method may not be convincing enough, so there is another way you can determine freshness of your eggs. Take a bowl and fill it with cold water. Place the egg in this bowl. If the egg floats on top, it is stale. But if it sinks in, it is safe for consumption. Try doing this before using eggs, whenever you have any doubt.

After understanding the shelf life of eggs and ways to determine an egg's freshness, make sure you use this knowledge to your benefit. Buy egg cartoons which are USDA grade-marked, check the Julian date, store them properly in your fridge and don't forget to put the egg in a cold water bowl before using it. All these measures will ensure you eat fresh eggs and stay healthy always.