The perfect superfood, eggs are low in fat, rich in nutrients and packed in protein to help you feel full for longer. From breakfast to a late-night snack, they are great for making a whole host of dishes in minutes. And with so many different cooking methods, you can enjoy a different egg recipe every day of the week.
Here’s our guide to getting the most out of your eggs:
Choose the right eggs
When it comes to taste, free-range eggs are far superior to the intensively-farmed alternatives. With bright yellow yolks and a rich flavour, free-range eggs come from hens that have been allowed to live as naturally as possible with access to outdoor spaces. So, by choosing free-range you’ll also have the peace of mind that the hens enjoyed a better life than battery hens.
Store them correctly
The way in which eggs should be stored varies from country to country. For example, in some regions, chickens are vaccinated against salmonella and so the eggs can safely be stored at room temperature. But in other countries, eggs should be stored in the refrigerator to reduce the risk of salmonella and other bacteria developing. So, check the official advice for your own country and store your eggs accordingly.
Should you wash eggs?
Depending on where you buy your eggs, you could find the odd feather or spot of dirt on the shell. You might therefore think that the eggs need washing before you use them. But did you know, eggs come with their own natural coating, known as the ‘bloom’? This helps prevent bacteria passing through the shell into the egg inside. If you wash the egg, you will remove this beneficial bloom and can drive bacteria into the egg. So, you should never wash eggs before using them. If you do want to remove dirt from an egg, use an abrasive cloth and gently rub the shell to remove any dirt.
Use them in time
Some eggs are sold with a date stamp so you know when to eat them by. But others might not have any indication of how old they are. The good news is, eggs have a good lifespan and can last for several weeks. However, they taste much better and can be easier to use when they are fresh.
To test the freshness of an egg, you can place it into a container of water. If the egg sinks and sits horizontally on the bottom, it is very fresh. If it tilts upwards and sits on one end, it is fairly fresh. If it floats, the egg is stale. However, once an egg has been exposed to water, even if it’s still fresh, you’ll need to use it right away, as the egg’s protective bloom will have been removed.
Separating eggs
Many recipes call for just the yolks or just the whites of an egg. You can easily separate the two using a variety of techniques. The easiest way to separate an egg is simply to pass the yolk from one half of the shell to the other while letting the white drip through into a bowl below. But there are lots of other methods so take a look online to find your own favourite.