Did you know that over £66m worth of eggs are thrown away every year in the UK? While we don’t recommend eating eggs that are definitely passed their best, you don’t have to waste them – here are some suggestions to help you enjoy this hugely versatile ingredient for longer.
Did you know you can freeze them?
If you don’t have time to use them before their best before date, you can easily freeze eggs and come back to them later. You can’t freeze them in their shells, but you certainly can keep whole eggs and egg whites in the freezer to use at another time. To freeze whole eggs or egg whites, beat them first and then store in a container. If you want to freeze yolks, add 1.5 tbsp of sugar per 240ml egg to stop the yolks from gelling.
Before eating or cooking, make sure to defrost them thoroughly.
Make sure to store them properly
When it comes to eggs, it is improper storage that can cause them to turn before their time. Though the carton will say to store in a cool, dry place, the fridge is the best place for them to maintain freshness and quality. Keep them on a shelf rather than on the door, as the temperature will fluctuate more in the door compartments and egg shells are porous, so will react to changes in temperature.
You should also make sure to store them in their boxes and as far away from strong smelling foods as possible – porous shells remember!
The egg test
Not sure how fresh an egg is? You can always conduct a quick test using a glass of water. Place your egg in the water, if it lays on its side at the bottom, it is still fresh. If it stands up right on the bottom, it is fine to eat but should be used fairly soon. If it floats on the top, it cannot be eaten. Before throwing away your eggs, give them a test, you’ll likely still have time to make something tasty!
Want suggestions for things to make with eggs? Be sure to take a look at our recipes page. When buying eggs, always lookout for the red lion to ensure the very best quality eggs and where possible, buy them from local farmers, so you can guarantee the happiness and health of the hens.
