Should I Keep The Eggs In The Refrigerator?

Should I store eggs in the refrigerator or outside? It is best to put them in the fridge. We explain why in this article.

Have you ever wondered whether it is better to store eggs at room temperature or in the refrigerator? Do you want to know the answer to this question? In this article, you will find everything you need for proper storage of eggs.

Should the eggs be stored in the refrigerator or at room temperature?

Eggs are an essential part of our regular diet. According to an article published in the magazine Advances in Food and Nutrition Research, they are indeed considered the best dietary protein and are endowed with a high content of essential vitamins and minerals. It is therefore important to store them correctly in order to make the most of their qualities.

At home, it is best to store eggs in the refrigerator, especially in summer. On the other hand, the egg white is very dense, and over the days tiny amounts of air enter the egg and reduce its density.

The best way to store them is to leave them in their box on a shelf in the fridge. Although we tend to place them in the egg cooker, this is not the best place because it is the part of the refrigerator that shows the greatest variations in temperature.

By leaving the eggs in their box, they are protected from temperature changes, odors, shock and contact with other foods. In addition, the packaging contains information on the expiration date, which is essential for the correct consumption of the eggs.

In the supermarket, why are eggs presented at room temperature?

Eggs do not need to be kept cold, as long as the room temperature does not exceed 25 ° C. Indeed, in the supermarket, it is important not to refrigerate them because the cuticle, the thin layer that envelops the egg under the shell, can break due to a sudden change in temperature.

Therefore,  it is essential to keep the egg at a constant temperature. It is easier if they are already at room temperature in the supermarket when you buy them.

Should I keep the eggs in the refrigerator? More questions …

How to know if an egg is fresh ?

A good way to assess freshness is to check the consistency of the egg white. A fresh egg has two areas in the white, one more consistent and another liquid,  which stand out perfectly. When the egg is fresh, the dense white is firmer and gelatinous. It loses this firmness while losing its freshness. When it is difficult to distinguish the two areas, the egg is less fresh.

Another way to assess freshness is to place the egg in a glass of water. If it sinks, it means that it is still cool because it contains little air.

Can the eggs be eaten after the date indicated?

Eggs can be eaten a few days after their expiry date if they have been stored in the refrigerator and the shell is clean and intact. This use-by date, which is not the same as the expiry date, is 28 days maximum from the date set. Eggs are considered fresh provided they are:

• Well preserved.
• That their quality and safety be maintained.

Should we wash the eggs?

Eggs can be washed when we eat them, but not when we buy them.  This is because the water pressure could break the cuticle and expose them further to salmonella.

This bacteria can cause discomfort as well as complications in the intestinal tract, which can be mild or severe. This is what a study published in the magazine Clinical Microbiology Reviews reveals . 

Salmonella infection can occur if good hygiene practices in the kitchen are not observed. It is therefore essential to:

• Wash hands when handling eggs.
• Clean utensils after touching eggs.
• Cook the eggs at a sufficient temperature.
• Store them in the refrigerator after preparation  if consumption is not immediate.
• Do not leave them at room temperature, especially in summer.

Storing eggs is easy

It is not difficult to store eggs properly. The only precaution to take is not to wash them and to leave them in their box while waiting to consume them. Ideally, they should be placed in the fridge, although they will also adapt to many different temperature and humidity conditions.