That carton's been chilling in the fridge for a while… are those eggs still good? Nobody wants a rotten egg surprise! Here's your guide to egg-cellent detective work.
**The Float Test:** Gently place the egg in a bowl of water. If it sinks and lies flat, it's fresh! If it sinks but stands on one end, it's nearing its expiration but likely still usable. If it floats, toss it! Floating means too much air has entered the shell, indicating spoilage.
**The Sniff Test:** Crack the egg into a clean bowl. Does it smell sulfurous or just… wrong? Trust your nose! A bad egg has a distinct, unpleasant odor.
**The Visual Inspection:** Check for discoloration or a watery consistency in the egg white or yolk. While a slightly cloudy egg white is normal in fresh eggs, any unusual colors (pink, green, or black) are major red flags. A runny, watery white also indicates age, though the egg may still be usable if it passes the other tests.
When in doubt, throw it out! Food safety first.
