Storing Eggs
Enjoying a fresh goose egg from Nibbler’s Legacy Farm on St. Croix!
Got eggs? Don’t have enough fridge space to store them? Not to worry. Eggs can last a long time out of the fridge, which is great news because they’re one of the most nutrient dense and filling foods mother nature’s gifted us with. So why do eggs come refrigerated from the store? There’s so much confusion out there about how to store eggs and keep them from spoiling, yet there doesn’t seem to be a consistent straight answer.
Here’s what we know and what we do to keep our eggs good for up to a month - if not longer!
The name of the game is preventing air and bacteria from entering the semi-porous egg shell. Mother Nature already figured this one out by creating an outer and inner protective layer around the entirety of the shell. The outer protective layer of the shell isn’t something we can see, and it often gets removed when eggs are washed. If you’re able to buy eggs that have not been washed, this is ideal if your goal is to store them. You can still remove the dirt and any feces while preserving the protective layer by gently wiping/dusting the outside of the egg with a cloth. On the flip side (literally) is the inner protective layer, which we commonly refer to as the egg white. When the egg is fresh, it naturally remains fully coated inside by the clear fluid. As the egg ages, the clear fluid slowly dries as the shell becomes more porous. Turning eggs is important when storing them because it keeps the entire inner layer of the shell moist and coated, which prevents air and bacteria from penetrating through the semi-porous shell from the outside.
Now that we know we’re trying to prevent air and bacteria from getting through the shell, let’s talk about how to store the eggs if they come refrigerated or unrefrigerated.
REFRIGERATED EGGS
Why are eggs refrigerated in the first place? In the US, it’s a requirement to wash eggs and decontaminate them before they’re sold. However, as we just learned washing the eggs doesn’t just rid of any dirt or feces - it also removes the natural, outer protective layer of the shell. Removing this protective layer makes the eggs more susceptible to contamination, and that’s why they’re often sold refrigerated because it prevents bacteria from penetrating the semi-porous shell and making its way into the egg white and yolk.
If the eggs are bought from a store or farm that has them refrigerated, they can be unrefrigerated. Once they’re taken out of the fridge, they’ll likely get some condensation on the outside of the shell when they reach room temperature. Make sure to fully wipe off the condensation and store them in a cool, dark place in the carton. It’s important to wipe off the condensation because bacteria like to grow in moist areas. If we give bacteria a home to grow, they’re chances of getting through the shell are increased. So wipe off that condensation, mmk?!
If you plan to consume the eggs within three weeks, it’s not necessary to turn them because the shell will not become porous enough for the inner clear fluid to dry up. However, if you plan to store them for longer it’s important to turn them two-three times per week. You can do this by flipping the carton upside down (or turning each egg upside down individually, if you want to get up close and personal). This helps keep the entire inner layer of the shell moist and protected from air and bacteria getting through as the shell becomes slightly more porous.
UNREFRIGERATED EGGS
If the eggs have not been previously refrigerated when you buy them, there’s no need to put them in the fridge! Keep them in a cool, dark place in the carton. Eggs keep naturally at room temperature and with no preserving methods used, they’ll last nicely for two to three weeks. Again, if you’re storing them for longer than three weeks, you should turn the eggs two-three times per week. If you plan to store them for less than three weeks, don’t worry about turning them (but it won’t hurt if you do).
WHAT KIND OF EGGS TO BUY
The most important thing is to buy the freshest, most nutrient dense eggs you can find - ones that have never been refrigerated or washed and come from happy, healthy animals. If you’re buying eggs from a store, look for “organic, pasture raised” on the label. Even better, get to know a local farmer with eggs for sale so you can see the animals and their environment first-hand. The photos featured in this post are of goose and duck eggs from Nibbler’s Legacy Farm on the island of St. Croix - we had to chance to meet their wonderful owner and purchased their incredible eggs, which lasted us a few weeks on the boat!
Have questions, or other tips about storing eggs? Leave a comment below!
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Goose egg (left) and duck egg (right) from Nibbler’s Legacy Farm on St. Croix.
Chicken eggs from Natural Springs Dairy Farm in St. Augustine, Florida.