16 October 2023 , 08:51
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Eggs are such a staple part of our diets. Whether you're having scrambled eggs for breakfast or using them for baking, it's estimated that we consume around 202 eggs per person per year.
Despite its popularity, there is still a debate surrounding eggs - more specifically, where they should be stored. Some people insist on keeping them in the fridge, while others keep them out on the side. But which is correct?
In the UK, hens are vaccinated against salmonella, and any egg with the British Lion mark means that they have been laid by hens vaccinated against salmonella. As a result, it's safe to store them outside the fridge if your kitchen is below 20C. It also means that it is perfectly safe to eat eggs that are soft boiled or undercooked.
However, according to the experts, the best place to keep eggs is in the fridge - but it's important to take them out around 30 minutes before use, otherwise the sudden change in temperature could crack the shell or lower its binding qualities in baking, YorkshireLive reports.
The Food Standard Agency advises storing whole eggs in a cool dry place, ideally in the fridge, until you use them. You should also make sure you rotate stock to use the oldest eggs first and do not use eggs after their best before date.
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Keep eggs in their original boxes when storing, too. It does a better job of cushioning your eggs to prevent breakage, plus, the 'best by' date is clearly marked.
And you should avoid the egg compartments built into the fridge door. Eggs are best kept in the main portion of your fridge on the middle shelf, ideally toward the back. That's because the temperature of your fridge stays the coldest and most consistent in this area, as opposed to your refrigerator door, which is prone to temperature fluctuations from being opened regularly.
Anna Williams, Head Pastry Chef of award-winning restaurant Fallow, says: "This location in the fridge is best to keep the eggs at a constant temperature and the cardboard boxes provide the perfect level of protection, plus they will have the expiry date on them."
Dr Stuart Farrimond also agrees that storing your eggs in the fridge door is not the best place for them at all. He explains in The Science of Cooking that it can ruin the egg whites as they'll shake up, which can ruin them for when you actually want to use them.
Other tips include storing away from strong smelling food - eggshells are porous - and keeping them away from raw meat.