Eggs are the most famous product in the history of cooking, providing a person with high-quality protein, vitamins and trace elements. Is there a way to keep the beneficial properties of the egg for as long as possible? We reveal the secrets of proper storage of such a valuable product.

• duck
• ostrich
• quail
• chicken
• turkey
• goose
• caesarines

In fairness, it should be noted that the egg of any bird is edible. The main condition is that the product must be as fresh as possible!

Important. Poisoning from stale eggs is second only to mushrooms in food poisoning statistics.

Shelf life of raw eggs

The shelf life of eggs at room temperature and in the refrigerator depends on many factors.

1. Storage temperature

• The optimum temperature is considered to be in the range of 3-4⁰С
• For comparison: 1 day of storage of a chicken egg at room temperature corresponds to 1 week of storage in the refrigerator.
• The more stable the temperature regime, the longer the product will retain its freshness.

1. Humidity

Surprisingly, eggs love moist air. That is why many chefs and poultry farmers recommend storing eggs in the refrigerator in vegetable containers. However, excess moisture can cause putrefactive processes and spoil the product.

1. Shell thickness

The thicker the shell and the denser the inner film of the egg, the longer it is stored (even without a refrigerator). Caesar eggs, which have relatively thick shells, stay fresh for more than 30 days at room temperature.

1. shell integrity

The shell is an ideal shell created by nature itself. Even the most microscopic cracks that have arisen on it disrupt the internal balance and shorten the shelf life of the egg.

1. Cleanliness of the shell: the cleaner the surface, the less all kinds of pathogenic organisms on it

• But this does not mean that non-waterfowl eggs need to be washed urgently. In washed raw eggs, the shelf life is drastically reduced. This is due to the need for the egg to "breathe". When washing the eggshell, the pores are clogged, which prevents the natural gas exchange of the internal contents of the egg with the environment. Eggs are washed with warm water immediately before use. Heavily contaminated eggs are used first

• Eggs laid by waterfowl can and should be washed with water before being stored!

1. illumination

Eggs don't like sunlight! The darker the storage area, the longer the eggs will last.

1. Position

This laying of eggs is quite justified. The fact is that in the rounded blunt part of the egg there is an air chamber, the so-called "puga". Nature created the puga as an oxygen cushion for the future chick. Puga and more than 10,000 shell pores saturate the egg with oxygen, removing carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide from the shell

This general rules that extend the shelf life of all bird eggs. Read about the features of storing individual species below.

What is the shelf life of chicken eggs in the refrigerator?

Chicken eggs remain the most sought after product worldwide.

If you buy eggs in a store, read the label carefully. It is she who will tell you how long you can store the product you are purchasing, because the shelf life of dietary and table eggs is different. The decoding of the marking is shown in the photo below.

Important: do not forget to pay attention to the date of packaging / packaging of eggs

Shelf life of quail eggs in the refrigerator

Quail eggs, in comparison with chicken eggs, are smaller and have a thinner shell. This also leads to a shorter shelf life of the product, even in the presence of a refrigerator. So at a temperature regime of 18-23⁰ and in compliance with all of the above rules quail egg can be stored no more than 30 days. In the refrigerator, the shelf life increases to 60 days.

Shelf life of boiled eggs

In the case of an egg, the generally accepted logic is not acceptable: heat treatment does not increase, but sharply reduces the shelf life of the product.

Boiled chicken egg remains usable

• at room temperature no more than 24 hours
• in the refrigerator - 3-5 days (depending on the initial freshness of the egg and the method of cooking). Storage for more than 5 days degrades the nutritional characteristics of the product. Eating boiled eggs that have been in the refrigerator for more than 10 days can be hazardous to health

Important: This is an unpeeled boiled egg!

Why boiled eggs stored less?

This is due to the action of high temperatures, as a result of which

• the natural protection of the shell is destroyed
• protein and yolk coagulate - a process of so-called denaturation occurs
• natural processes inside the shell are violated, because the main purpose of the egg is not at all to become breakfast

Shelf life of eggs for incubation

The main purpose of the egg is to become the cradle of a new life.

How the egg will cope with its primary task depends on the conditions of its storage. There are other rules at work here.

1. The optimal temperature regime for storing eggs before incubation is 8-15⁰С, for ostriches - 16-18⁰С
2. Humidity - 75-80%
3. Laying method

• avoid stacking eggs
• use special stacking trays
• lay ostrich, quail, chicken, turkey eggs vertically, blunt end up. To prevent detachment and stretching of the hailstones, the movement of the embryo and the drying of the medium, turn the eggs from top to bottom from time to time
• store goose, duck eggs in a horizontal position also, from time to time, changing their position. To avoid confusion when turning the material for incubation, mark one side of the egg with a simple pencil

1. Egg storage times at optimum temperature

• chicken, ostrich and quail - 6-7 days
• turkey -5-6 days
• duck - 8-10 days
• goose - 10-12 days

Features of use and shelf life of goose eggs

Waterfowl eggs are rare guests on our tables.

There are several reasons for this:

1. Geese and ducks are not laying hens by definition. Their eggs are primarily used to replenish the bird population. Rejected raw materials, not suitable for incubation, are used in cooking
2. Waterfowl eggs are usually eaten only after heat treatment because of the high risk of salmonella infection
3. The storage conditions for eggs are almost identical to the storage conditions for chicken eggs, but the shelf life is longer due to the high density of the shell

If you happen to be the owner of goose or duck chickens, don't be embarrassed by a new culinary experience! These products have proven themselves in baking, omelettes, salads.

Features of use and shelf life of ostrich eggs

The ostrich confidently conquers the northern latitudes and feels great in our, far from African, climate.

• Ostrich eggs are dietary product while retaining all the beneficial properties of a chicken egg
• One ostrich egg can make an omelette for 8-10 people. A broken egg can be stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days without losing its beneficial properties.
• At room temperature, an ostrich egg can be stored for up to 30 days, provided that the shell is not damaged. In the refrigerator, the shelf life increases up to 6 months

The video at the end of the article will tell you more about how long eggs should be stored.

Video: How to store eggs correctly?

The most common food items are chicken eggs. It is important to know under what conditions and how long they can be stored. It is also worth understanding how different temperature conditions affect the shelf life of eggs.

Rules for storage in the refrigerator

First you need to figure out where in the refrigerator is the best place for laying eggs. Many put them in plastic or card trays on the shelf of the opening door. This is absolutely not recommended. This area is constantly subject to temperature fluctuations. According to statistics, the temperature in this part is 6-8 °C higher than in the depth of the refrigerator. This mode is unacceptable. The most successful place is the lower compartment, where vegetables, fruits, and herbs are stored.

What spoils eggs?

How long to keep raw eggs

If all the conditions described above are met, the shelf life of this product is 25-30 days. By the way, in some cases it is necessary to store the product without a shell - in a raw, but peeled form. For example, if during transportation many eggs were cracked. The shelf life in this case is a maximum of 2 days!

Attention! Many housewives, in order to prevent salmonellosis, wash eggs in soapy water and store them in the refrigerator. This cannot be done! The protective ability of the shell is reduced, so the product quickly deteriorates. It is better to wash the shell just before use.

If you do not have the opportunity to place the product in conditions of low temperature, then it can be kept indoors. Alas, not all chicken eggs are suitable for this purpose. Select only those that do not have deep scratches, cracks. Otherwise, there is a high risk of damage to the internal contents by pathogenic bacteria. Such a product can not only provoke food poisoning, but also the development of acute intestinal infections.

Preservation rules at room temperature:

1. You can store for 10-14 days. But not more!
2. Never wash the shell. In its natural state, it is a reliable barrier that protects against the penetration of pathogenic organisms.
3. Provide air access or good ventilation.
4. Do not place in an area exposed to sunlight.
5. Store only in a room with low humidity (cellar not suitable).
6. Keep away from herbs, spices and other foods with strong odors.

Advice! In rural areas, eggs are traditionally kept in cool rooms. Local housewives lubricate the shell with ordinary sunflower oil. This protects against air penetration - the product does not rot for a long time.

How to store boiled

Room temperature conditions are categorically not suitable. After boiling, all the protective properties of the shell are lost, the porosity of the egg shell increases. Peeled boiled eggs can stand in the room for a maximum of 8 hours. Unpeeled - a maximum of 16 hours. Therefore, the only reliable storage method is low temperature.

1. The optimum temperature for boiled eggs is 2 to 5 °C.
2. If the product has been hard-boiled, then without risk to health it can be kept in the cold for 1 week. At the same time, even taste characteristics and texture do not change.
3. If boiled soft-boiled, then keep in the refrigerator for no more than 3 days.
4. Instances whose shells cracked during cooking are suitable for food only in the next 2 days.
5. If you have cooked and shelled, then be sure to pack in sealed food containers with lids or wrap cling film. You can use 3 days.

Advice! Boiled eggs do not lose their culinary properties and taste if they are placed in the freezer. You can extend the shelf life by 10 days if they have been cleared. And extend for 30 days if they are left in the shell.

Precautionary measures

If you still have doubts about the safety of the product, then before cooking it is worth checking whether it is suitable for food. Define freshness:

1. Type cold unboiled water into a deep container.
2. Lower the product into it one by one.
3. Those that lie horizontally at the bottom are the freshest.
4. If they lay vertically on the bottom - such a product is more than 2 weeks old, the shelf life is almost over.
5. Those that float on the surface of the water are rotten.

Egg shelf life: video

Chicken eggs have been the basis of rational human nutrition since time immemorial. This poultry product is an excellent source of proteins, vitamins and minerals. As essential products, they are always present in the refrigerator, they are used gradually, without thinking that there is a regulated shelf life for eggs.

So, how many eggs are stored, what factors to pay attention to when buying them, and what conditions must be observed so that they remain fresh as long as possible, we will try to figure it out below.

What factors affect storage time

The shelf life of chicken eggs depends on:

• product origin. If they industrial production, then the exact date of production is indicated on each copy. The approximate shelf life of chicken eggs purchased from the retail chain of the poultry farm is 1 month (30 days). It is not recommended to exceed the average standards, because after this time the product loses its nutritional properties. If these are homemade eggs purchased from a trusted and clean hostess, then they can be used for 3 months;
• product storage conditions. If the seller knew how to store the eggs, observing the technical standards (regarding temperature, humidity, etc.), then the shelf life is 25-30 days. Storage of eggs directly depends on where and how the product is stored after purchase: in the refrigerator ( raw eggs- up to 1 month, cooked - up to 10-14 days) or at room temperature (raw - 14-20 days, boiled - 2-3 days); cooking method. So, the shelf life of a boiled product is shorter than its raw counterpart.

The shell has a unique porous structure, thanks to which beneficial properties are preserved for a long period. If the integrity of the shell is violated (during cooking), the risk of penetration of pathogens increases, therefore cracked hard-boiled specimens are not recommended to be stored for longer than 3-4 days.

Cracked during cooking are stored worse than intact

Refrigerator secrets

The shelf life of eggs in the refrigerator depends on compliance with certain rules:

• it is not recommended to place them on the opening door. Despite the fact that any refrigerator model has a special compartment, this option reduces the shelf life - temperature fluctuations when opening and closing the refrigerator negatively affect the freshness of the chicken product. The ideal mode is observed in the chilled room, designed for vegetables and fruits, since stable temperature indicators must be maintained there;
• it is desirable to store them in a "fixed" position. To do this, you can use the box in which they were sold, or a special stand. They need to be stored with a sharp end down (one cell - 1 copy), they should not touch. The plastic container must be tightly closed to exclude the “neighborhood” of other strong odors (citrus fruits, smoked meats, etc.);
• the optimal mode of preservation in the refrigerator is 2-4 degrees. At a temperature of 1-2 degrees, the period of storage of raw specimens is 45 days;
• no need to rinse them under running water before putting them in the refrigerator - this significantly reduces the shelf life.

If you are sure about the freshness of store-bought eggs, you can store them in the refrigerator for up to three months.

Table: How long can eggs be stored in the refrigerator

Pay attention to the color of the protein of boiled eggs - it should not be grayish or bluish

If, after cooking, the protein in a purified specimen has acquired a bluish or grayish tint, then it is better to throw it away so as not to meet with an infectious disease specialist in the near future. In any case, the shelf life of the product in the refrigerator should not exceed 2 weeks. The shelf life of boiled eggs also depends on the degree of their freshness. So, if an egg dipped in water floats to the surface and does not “sink” to the bottom, then this indicates that a lot of air has accumulated under the shell and this is not the first freshness product.

How many days you can store boiled eggs in the refrigerator, the consumer decides, however, in order for the product to retain all its properties for as long as possible, it must be cooked correctly. So, it is not recommended to throw the egg immediately from the refrigerator into boiling water - the shell may crack. It is more correct to get the product, wait 5 minutes, boil water, boil for 5-7 minutes, and then pour cold running water (this will facilitate the cleaning process).

Knowing how much chicken eggs are stored, you can calculate the approximate shelf life of the product. Being the owner of several chickens, you can be sure of the freshness and quality of the eggs and safely store them in the refrigerator for 3 months.

When buying goods on the market, it is better to use the “7 days” rule, that is, after asking the hostess how long she has these eggs, make an adjustment of 6-7 days - this simple way will save you from consuming old, stale products.

If eggs of industrial production are purchased, then add 3-5 days to the specified packing date (the difference between production and packaging) and count how many eggs are stored at the time of sale. Best before date diet eggs containing maximum useful substances not exceed two weeks. How to read the labeling of industrial eggs can be found on Wikipedia.

Dye affects the storage of dyed eggs

Storage without refrigeration

Raw without a refrigerator can be stored at a temperature of no more than 20 degrees for about 3 weeks. At the same time, the following scheme is recommended: they are carefully laid (with a sharp end down) in a wooden box filled with sand, salt, sawdust, millet or oats, wrapped in several layers of burlap and placed in a dark ventilated place (basement, cellar, pantry).

To increase the shelf life, you need to lubricate each copy with fat (lard) or sunflower oil - this is how the pores of the shell are “sealed”, which prevents infection.

Storage at room temperature

Eggs can be stored at room temperature if:

• place them in a solution of table salt, prepared at the rate of 20 g / 1 liter of water. The product is stored for 4 weeks without loss of quality and taste;
• wrap them in paper (any: for a copier, newsprint, glossy), place them in a plastic container with the tip down and keep in the coldest place (the temperature should not exceed 10 degrees);
• store them in concentrated lime mortar. In flower pots (preferably clay), the eggs are carefully laid with the tip down and poured with slaked lime. You can store in this way for 4 months, but the product acquires a not very appetizing smell.

Boiled eggs are stored outside the refrigerator for no more than 12 hours. And if the shell cracked during cooking, then it is not recommended to store such an instance for more than 4–5 hours at temperatures above 25 degrees.

Useful properties of eggs. Video

Eggs are one of the most indispensable products on the modern table. Without them, it is difficult to imagine a huge part of the dishes, which include both appetizers and hot dishes, as well as desserts. And in order for poultry products to remain fresh for a long time, you should know about the rules for their storage and take into account that the terms may vary depending on the type of preparation. Therefore, we will try to figure out how many days the shelf life of boiled eggs lasts and where it is better to keep them.

How to cook

At first glance, everyone knows how to boil eggs, but even in this simple matter some rules must be followed.

It should be borne in mind that most bacteria, including salmonella, are quite resistant to heat treatment. For their reproduction, the temperature regime should be from +7 to +45 degrees.

To get rid of bacteria during boiling, the boiling time should be 7-9 minutes.

If you are preparing an omelet, then it must be kept on fire until the egg mass is completely dry. This will help to destroy all possible harmful bacteria.

Factors affecting shelf life

The shelf life of boiled eggs depends on a large number factors. Here are the main ones:

• Often, the shelf life of a boiled product depends on how fresh it was originally purchased, and also in what conditions it was stored before purchase.
• Do not lower the testicle into boiling water, taking it out of the refrigerator. It should reach room temperature. This will help avoid cracks.
• After cooking, these poultry products must be carefully inspected. Those specimens whose shell contains cracks are not subject to long-term storage, since harmful bacteria can easily penetrate into them. You can store them no more than 4 days.
• The shelf life of cooked animal products also depends on how long they have been cooked. Consider the following options: hard-boiled, soft-boiled and dyed.

Storage of boiled eggs is recommended in the refrigerator at an average temperature of +2 to +4 degrees. After cooking, chicken products must be cooled in cold water and then place in a resealable container. This will protect them from absorbing foreign odors. The shelf life of the product with this storage will be up to 2 weeks.

Hard-boiled eggs can be stored at room temperature for some time. In this case, their shelf life is 2-3 days. Room temperature should not exceed +20 degrees.

Purified boiled egg can be stored for 12 hours, after which it becomes unfit for human consumption.

Soft-boiled eggs are obtained as a result of their heat treatment for 2-3 minutes in boiling water. They differ from hard-boiled ones in the consistency of the yolk. In soft-boiled eggs, the yolk does not solidify completely, but remains slightly liquid.

In this regard, the shelf life of soft-boiled eggs is different. They can be stored in the refrigerator for no longer than two days, preferably in the middle compartments at a temperature of about 3-4 degrees.

At room temperature, such a product can be stored for a day.

Easter eggs

A boiled and painted egg has long been the main symbol of the bright Orthodox holiday - Easter. Now there are many ways to decorate it, making it almost a work of art. However, it is worth remembering that if you are still going to eat a colored egg, you must do this within the prescribed time frame.

For enough long-term storage Pysanky should not be soft-boiled, but hard-boiled. In addition, you should not cook such a quantity of food that it will be difficult to consume in the near future.

The shelf life of colored eggs in the refrigerator is up to a week. At room temperature, it decreases to 3-4 days. However, you can increase it a little. Painted products should be covered with sunflower oil. This will not only give them a beautiful shine, but also clog small pores, which will increase their shelf life.

Your brownie.

P.S. I want to give you advice on how to quickly peel boiled eggs from the shell.

Eggs, like many millennia ago, are a sought-after and indispensable product. Chicken eggs are considered the most affordable, which is why they are bought most often. They contain fatty acids, lecithin, choline, vitamins and a huge amount of chemical elements useful for the body. They contain calcium, zinc, selenium, copper, iodine, chromium, iron, manganese, potassium and other substances. Eggs are actively used in cooking, therefore it is not surprising that many housewives stock up on them for future use. However, this is not always effective. Eggs have a certain shelf life, after which they become unsuitable for food, that is, you can stock up on them, but not have time to eat them. So how long do you store eggs and what is the best way to do it so that they stay fresh longer?

Shelf life of raw and boiled eggs

How long eggs stay fresh depends on where they are stored and at what temperature.
In the refrigerator, raw eggs are best stored at a temperature of +1 to +2 degrees.

• Table eggs under such conditions do not deteriorate for 25 days.
• Diet - 7 days.
• Domestic eggs, if not washed before storage, will stay fresh for 3-4 months.
• A fresh egg without a shell will not spoil for 2 days.

You can also store fresh raw eggs without a refrigerator. They will not spoil for about 2-3 weeks if they are kept in a dark, cool place with a relative humidity of 70-85%.

• Hard-boiled eggs placed in an airtight container after cooking can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
• Without an airtight container, they are recommended to be eaten within 10 days.
• If a hard-boiled egg is cracked, it will keep in the refrigerator for no more than 5 days.

Soft-boiled eggs spoil much faster.

• Their shelf life is 48 hours.
• A peeled boiled egg should be eaten on the same day.

Boiled eggs are best stored in the refrigerator at a temperature of +2 to +4 degrees.

• Out of the refrigerator, hard-boiled eggs can stay fresh for up to 3 days at temperatures below 20 degrees.
• Under the same conditions, a soft-boiled egg is stored for 24 hours.

How to store eggs in the refrigerator

Eggs will stay fresher longer if they are not stored in a special section located on the refrigerator door, and in the chamber, which is designed for fruits and vegetables. The thing is that when you open the refrigerator, warm air enters. As a result, eggs are exposed to constant temperature changes, which adversely affects their freshness. It is better to store eggs on the refrigerator door only if they will be eaten in a short time.

It is best to store eggs so that they are in a fixed position and definitely point down so that the yolk is in the center and does not come into contact with the air layer. To do this, you can use both the box in which they were sold, and a special stand. It is best that the egg storage container is cardboard, because it helps maintain the necessary humidity and better protects the eggs from foreign odors. Eggs retain their freshness better if they do not touch each other during storage.

Egg shells are porous, so they can easily absorb other odors. For this reason, it is not recommended to store eggs next to foods that have a strong smell: smoked meats, fish, citrus fruits, spices, mushrooms.

Eggs should always be washed only before direct use. If, when storing, wash off the protective layer from them, they will go bad much faster.

How to store eggs without refrigeration

Fresh eggs keep well if close the pores of the shell. For this it is best to use pork fat. Also suitable vegetable oil. After greasing, the eggs should be placed point down in a box filled with dry oats, salt, sand, shavings with sawdust, millet, wood ash or chaff. Eggs need to be laid out in such a way that they lie from each other at some distance. From above, the product must be covered with burlap. In this form, chicken eggs, if stored in a place with low humidity and a temperature not higher than 20 degrees, will not deteriorate for up to 3 months.

Helps keep eggs fresh salicylic acid. To do this, you need to make a solution in the proportion of 0.5 liters of water per 2 teaspoons of salicylic acid. In this solution, the eggs should lie for half an hour, then you need to dry them without wiping, and place them in a cool, dry place. Thanks to this method, they do not lose their palatability and properties throughout the month.

Can also store eggs in lime mortar. This method is good because it allows the eggs not to spoil for up to 3-4 months. However, it has a significant drawback - the eggs acquire a specific unpleasant taste. In addition, the egg white, which was stored by this method, does not whip well. A pound of quicklime should be poured with 10 liters of boiled water. The resulting solution should be set aside for 10-12 hours to infuse. Every 3 hours it must be stirred. Pour the prepared lime mortar into an earthenware dish with eggs laid out with a sharp end down. The lime solution should be several centimeters above the level of the eggs. Therefore, eggs should be stored in a cellar or basement, that is, where it is dry and cool.