How to handle fresh chicken eggs

Did you know that in most parts of the world, eggs sold in markets are not refrigerated?  In the U.S. we wouldn’t think of buying eggs stored on a room temperature grocery store shelf and we’re not alone.  So, do you know how to handle fresh chicken eggs?

Japan, Australia and Scandinavia also follow the refrigerated standard, but if you’re looking for eggs in a European store, you won’t find them in the coolers.

Not only do Europeans not refrigerate their eggs, but stores are prohibited from doing so. The reason is that eggs have a natural protective coating, called a bloom.  It’s a thin membrane on the outside of the shell that acts as a natural anti-bacterial barrier.  It also protects the egg from contaminants.

In America, it is a requirement that eggs must be washed in order to be sold, so this is done before they are packaged and sent to stores. Washing removes the natural protective membrane, so those eggs also need to be refrigerated, to protect them from harmful bacteria penetrating the porous shell.

In Europe, eggs are deliberately not washed to preserve the natural protection of the membrane. So, if you ever wonder why you see a French household with a basket of eggs on the counter, now you know.

If you own chickens you have the option of how to handle the eggs:

• Wash your eggs after you harvest them, then they should be refrigerated
• Do not wash them and store them at (cool) room temperature

Keeping eggs clean in the coop

The best option, of course, is to have clean eggs when you harvest them. There are a few ways to manage your coop to get the cleanest eggs possible:

• Keep your nest boxes clean and replace the hay often. This will prevent dirt or debris from getting on your eggs.
• Keep your run and floors clean as well, so that chickens don’t get into the nest boxes with dirty feet.
• Don’t allow your hens to sleep on their eggs if you can avoid it. Broody hens will sleep on their eggs, but it’s also possible that your hens are just a little lazy. Place your roost perches higher than the nest boxes, so they will be more attractive, and reduce inclination to sleep in the nest boxes

  

If chickens break their eggs, their instinct is often to peck at the broken egg and eat it. This should be avoided if possible, because many chickens enjoy eggs and will start to break the eggs on purpose to eat them. Worse yet, they will teach other chickens the habit. Harvest eggs as quickly as possible to prevent this destructive habit from taking over your flock. Check the nests in the morning and again in the evening. Loud cackling is generally a sign that a hen is laying, so be attentive to the sound.

How to handle your fresh eggs

After you have harvested your eggs, if they are fairly clean, gently wipe them with a clean dry cloth.  It’s best to have a specific cloth for this purpose.  Wiping them prevents any loose debris from transferring from the egg to your other foods and surfaces.

If there’s just a dirty spot on the egg, you can use a damp corner of the cloth to gently wipe that spot clean. If you are happy with the egg as it is, you can simply place it in a cool, dry place. It will stay fresh unrefrigerated for about two weeks and can last in the refrigerator for up to three months.

Unwashed eggs should be washed in warm water just before use, to prevent any microscopic debris or contaminants on the outside of the shell from getting on your hands, or into your food.

If your eggs are dirty after harvesting, or if you would simply prefer to wash them, then wash them in warm water. If necessary, use a cloth or gentle scrub brush to clean them. Never use cold water, because it causes the interior membrane of the shell to contract, which can pull contaminants through the porous shell into the egg.

And never use soap or detergents, because they, too, will penetrate the porous shell.

Let them air dry thoroughly before putting them in an egg case and into the refrigerator.

Washed eggs must be refrigerated and will last for up to two months. Older washed eggs will not taste as fresh as unwashed eggs that are the same age.

Storing and using your chicken eggs

Find a system to keep track of how old your eggs are.  You can write a date on the egg itself, but this isn’t recommended, because the shell is porous. Some people keep multiple cartons and use the first-in/first out system.

You might consider using a chalkboard label on a carton, so you can easily document and update the dates. Your system will vary, depending on how many eggs you have and how long you are storing them, but it’s good to keep track.

If you refrigerate your eggs, store them on a shelf, rather than in the door of the fridge, where they will get jostled every time the door is opened and closed.

When hard boiling, eggs that are a week old or more will peel more easily and cleanly than fresh eggs. If you want to make deviled eggs, make sure you use older eggs. When poaching, use the freshest eggs possible. A fresh egg will have whites that hold together more tightly when poached and have a better texture and taste.

Your oldest eggs (but not yet spoiled) are best used for baking, where they will add richness, but the dish isn’t as dependent on the eggs themselves for flavor.

Once you have harvested your eggs and put them in a carton, they are just like eggs from the supermarket, except that they have a better flavor and texture.  Plus, you know that the chickens are treated and fed well. Keeping chickens is a great way to know you are getting the highest quality food with the best possible taste.