You can tell if an egg is fresh by observing how it sits in water.
Identifying Freshness
Here's how to determine egg freshness, based on the referenced video:
The Float Test
- Fresh Eggs: If you place an egg in water, a very fresh egg will lie flat on its side at the bottom of the container. This is because the air cell inside the egg is minimal.
- Less Fresh Eggs: As eggs age, the air cell inside them grows, causing them to tilt and the egg will then position itself more horizontally at the bottom. The further it tilts toward a semi-horizontal position, the less fresh it is.
| Freshness Level | Position in Water |
|---|---|
| Very Fresh | Lies flat |
| Less Fresh | Tilts horizontally |
This simple test helps you quickly assess the freshness of an egg before even cracking it open.
