Yihao Classroom
Suitable egg storage conditions and duration
Eggs are a common ingredient in baking, especially in cakes. However, many people are confused about how to store them—at room temperature or in the refrigerator, and for how long? This experiment tested the changes in egg quality under different storage conditions to explore the appropriate storage conditions and time for eggs.
This experiment used fresh eggs obtained 12 hours after laying as samples. They were stored under two conditions: refrigerated (4℃, relative humidity 70%~90%) and room temperature (25℃, relative humidity 60%~80%). During storage, 3 eggs were taken from each temperature group each week to determine indicators such as weight loss rate, Haugh unit (an indicator of egg grading; eggs are inedible if the Haugh unit is below 55), and yolk index (reflecting yolk changes; eggs are inedible if the yolk index is below 0.36), until the room temperature eggs showed yolk separation (indicating they are no longer suitable for consumption).
The results showed that: In terms of weight loss rate, the weight loss rate of eggs stored at room temperature was significantly higher than that of refrigerated eggs from the first week onwards. By the seventh week, the room temperature eggs began to show yolk separation, while the refrigerated eggs did not; In terms of Haugh unit, fresh eggs had a Haugh unit of 84, which is grade AA. Under room temperature storage, the eggs were grade AA in the first week, grade A in the second week, and grade B in the third week, not recommended for consumption. In the sixth week, the refrigerated eggs had a Haugh unit of 73, still grade AA, which is a recommended grade for consumption; In terms of yolk index, the eggs stored at room temperature were grade 2 in the first and second weeks, and grade 3 in the third week, no longer recommended for consumption. The refrigerated eggs had a yolk index of 0.40 in the fifth week (grade 1) and 0.39 in the sixth week (grade 2). Under refrigeration, the egg quality in the first three weeks was not much different from fresh eggs.
Based on these indicators, it is recommended that when purchasing eggs, prioritize products with the latest print date and those stored in refrigerated cabinets. If you prefer to buy loose eggs, prioritize large supermarkets and large farmers' markets with fast turnover to ensure the eggs are fresh, and buy them in small quantities and frequently. Newly purchased eggs should be refrigerated and consumed within 5 weeks. If refrigeration is inconvenient, store them in a cool place and consume them within 2 weeks. In addition, the storage period of eggs is greatly related to the egg variety. It is best not to consume them at the critical limit to avoid food safety risks.
Latest developments
WeChat Public Number
Shandong Yihao Food Co., Ltd
Telephone:86-531-86933666
Fax:86-531-86937666
Mailbox:yihaoyouzhi@163.com
Website:www.yihaoyouzhi.com
Address: Daqiao Economic Development Zone, Tianqiao District, Jinan City (Yihao Food Industrial Park)