| masraum |
02-25-2021 07:24 AM |
Quote:
Originally Posted by gregpark
(Post 11239208)
Eggs don't need to be refrigerated. They'll keep for many months on the shelf. They just take up space in the fridge. An only in the USA thing. I'm going to try the candied jalapeños in the egg salad, sounds yummy
|
My understanding is that when eggs are laid, they get a coating of "slime" as part of the process. That slime protects them if kept at room temp.
commercial eggs, and even many eggs sold at farmer's markets have had that coating of slime washed off.
Once the coating of slime has been washed off, they are no longer protected and should be refrigerated.
At least, that's how I understand the egg thing.
I spent 2 or 3 weeks in the Amazon several years ago. The temp was hot and super muggy all of the time (day and night). And the cook had a what I suspect was several hundred up to 1000 eggs just sitting on a counter the entire time. That was a little surprising to me.
https://www.betterhensandgardens.com/fresh-eggs-washed-unwashed/
( excerpts from the link above )
Quote:
many cultures (such as all the EU countries) prohibit washing fresh eggs that are to be sold whereas most places in the US require them to be washed.
Despite what regulations in much of the US say, the answer is, it’s generally better to leave the egg unwashed.
Just before laying an egg, the hen adds a protective layer called “bloom” or cuticle (see Understanding Egg Bloom) to the outside of the egg. This coating seals the shell pores, prevents bacteria from getting inside the shell, and reduces moisture loss from the egg – all designed to make the egg last longer. Washing the eggs removes this protective layer, and does reduce the time that the egg will remain fresh.
So, eggs that are removed from the nest box that are clean, are best left unwashed until just before use. However, eggs that have dirt, feathers, or chicken droppings attached when removed from the nest box should be washed in warm water (eggs should not be washed in cool water as this pushes bacteria into the shell pores) and used first.
To wash homestead eggs, just rinse them under very warm tap water. It’s not necessary to use any soaps or detergents.
Unwashed eggs will last at least two weeks unrefrigerated, and three months if refrigerated. Washed eggs should be refrigerated, and will last at least two months, but won’t taste as fresh as an unwashed egg of the same age.
|
|