Here are 5 reliable ways to tell if an egg is fresh or rotten:
1. The Water Test
- Fill a bowl with cold water and place the egg in it.
- Fresh egg: sinks and lays flat on its side
- Slightly older but still good: stands upright
- Rotten egg: floats (gas buildup inside makes it buoyant)
2. Shake Test
- Hold the egg near your ear and shake gently.
- Fresh egg: no sound
- Old/rotten egg: sloshing or liquid movement inside
3. Sniff Test
- Crack the egg open into a bowl.
- Fresh egg: neutral smell
- Rotten egg: unmistakable sulfurous or “bad” odor
4. Visual Inspection
- Look at the shell and contents:
- Fresh egg: smooth, clean shell; thick, slightly domed white
- Rotten egg: cracked, slimy shell; watery or discolored white
5. Candling (light test)
- Hold the egg up to a bright light in a dark room.
- Fresh egg: yolk centered, air cell small
- Old egg: larger air cell, yolk may move freely
- Bad egg: irregularities or dark spots
💡 Tip: Always store eggs in the fridge to maintain freshness. Even eggs that pass these tests should be cooked fully if there’s any doubt.
If you want, I can give a super quick “at-a-glance” method that works without bowls or light—it’s handy in a pinch.
