There are four simple and reliable ways to check if eggs are bad:
- Sniff Test: Crack the egg into a bowl and smell it. Bad eggs have a strong, unpleasant sulfur-like odor. If it smells off, throw it away.
- Visual Inspection: Check the shell for cracks, slime, or powdery mold. After cracking, look for pink, green, or iridescent discoloration in the whites or yolk, which indicates spoilage. Also, runny whites or yolks signal the egg is old.
- Float Test: Place the egg in a bowl of water. Fresh eggs sink and lay flat, slightly older eggs tilt, and bad eggs float due to air pocket growth. Floating eggs are likely rotten and should be discarded.
- Consistency Check: Shake the egg near your ear; a sloshing sound can mean the egg is old. Also, observe if egg whites are watery, which indicates aging.
Use these methods together for the best judgment, and always cook eggs thoroughly for safety. Eggs can last up to 3 weeks refrigerated in their carton.
