Eggs are a rather interesting product. After all, they consist simultaneously of liquid animal raw materials and the solid shell surrounding it. This article talks about how and how much you can save raw and boiled chicken eggs. Shelf life depends on temperature and other conditions in which they are located (humidity, ventilation, proximity to other products). It is these factors that subdivide the product into two quality categories: diet and canteens. The former provide for a very limited time of use, the latter can be stored much longer.
Raw eggs: shelf life. Ways to extend it
Diet eggs should not be stored at excessively low temperatures - up to -2 ° C. The most favorable temperature is from 0 ° C to + 3-4 ° C. But even in this case, eggs are considered dietary only for 7 days after laying. A product whose shelf life is higher is considered a canteen. Such eggs are usually kept in the refrigerator for up to 35-40 days, observing a temperature in the range from -2 ° C to + 5-7 ° C. At room temperature, storing them for more than 8-10 days is not recommended in order to avoid damage.
But there are situations when, for example, refrigerators do not work or you have to transport eggs somewhere. In this case, the shelf life can be extended in one of the following ways:
- place them in a weak saline solution (per 1 liter of water 1 tbsp. l. salt);
- Coat the eggs with a thin layer of one of the substances to prevent air from entering the pores: glycerin, petroleum jelly, butter or a mixture of wax and sunflower oil;
- wipe with a light pink solution of potassium permanganate;
- Put the product in a container, filling the free space between the eggs with chalk, talc or clean, dry grain.
How to determine the shelf life of a chicken egg?
Buying them in a store, you need to find a stamp with which each is marked. Dietary eggs are usually labeled in red indicating the category and date of laying. Similar information is found on table eggs, only the label will be blue. No stamps are allowed on the last product. In this case, you can learn about the possible date of demolition or packing from the seller, demanding the goods documents. The situation is simpler with eggs from the farm. Here, you yourself will surely know exactly from which date to start the countdown, since the removal of the demolished chicken products is carried out daily.
Cooked Eggs
The storage period will to some extent depend on the method of preparation. Hard-boiled eggs can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, and those with a liquid inside ("soft-boiled", "in a pouch") - no more than 2 days. Shelled products must be placed in containers, as they tend to absorb the smells of the surrounding products. But in this case, the shelf life should not exceed 2-3 days. Therefore, try to use cooked dishes immediately.
Colored eggs: expiration date
It is especially worth talking about storage methods for painted Easter eggs. Many forget that these beautiful attributes of the holiday are products with a certain shelf life. Therefore, do not forget to observe the temperature regime and the right time, placing them in a cool place or in the refrigerator. Coloring with natural dyes does not affect the expiration date, and coating eggs with thermofilm significantly reduces it, as it contributes to additional heating of the product inside the shell.