What happens if eggs float in water

Of course, if any eggs float to the top, they shouldn't be eaten. The science behind this is based on the fact that eggshells are semipermeable , which means air can get through.

So the older the egg, the more air can penetrate its shell, causing it to float. Another method not as reliable as the float trick is to hold an egg up to your ear and shake it. If you hear liquid swishing around inside, it's gone bad. On the other hand, no sound equals good news. The sloshing sound usually points to an old, watery yolk. If the egg doesn't pass the smell test, it's best to toss it. Even so, no one wants to cook with rotten eggs—it's unpleasant, plus it can put you at risk for salmonella and other food-borne diseases.

So how do you know if your eggs are actually expired or if you can squeeze in a few more omelets? Ree Drummond's Sleepin' In Omelet is a must-try! Should you trust your nose to sniff out any problems? Stop guessing and learn how the egg float test works below, plus pick up some other tips and tricks. If you've already cracked open your eggs, use your senses and your best judgment. Here's how to spy an egg that's past its prime or close to it:.

Fresh eggs will have thick, slightly opaque whites; eggs whites that are older will start to spread. Runny egg whites aren't necessarily unsafe to eat though. If the yolks are round and domed, the eggs are likely fresh—if they look flattened, they may be on the older side. Rule of thumb: If your eggs smell bad, throw them out!

An official website of the United States government. Have a Question? What does it mean when an egg floats in water? Information Knowledge Article. An egg can float in water when its air cell has enlarged sufficiently to keep it buoyant. This means the egg is old, but it may be perfectly safe to use.

One of the easiest ways to tell if your eggs are still good is to check the date on the carton. But if you throw your refrigerated eggs out as soon as this date arrives, you could be wasting perfectly good eggs. An expiration date, on the other hand, marks the date after which the eggs are considered less than fresh.

If neither of these labels is present, there is yet another date you can look for to tell how fresh your eggs are. Therefore, January 1st is written as and December 31st as 1. And even though the quality of an egg may start to decline after a certain date, it may still be good to eat for several weeks — especially if it has been refrigerated , which preserves quality and prevents bacterial growth 2. However, if your eggs are past the date printed on the carton, you may need to use another method to tell if the egg is good or bad.

But just because an egg has passed its date does not always mean it has gone bad. The sniff test is the oldest, simplest and most reliable method of telling whether an egg has gone bad. Eggs that have gone bad will give off an unmistakable smell, regardless of whether they are raw or cooked 3.

If anything smells off, toss the egg and wash the bowl or plate with hot, soapy water before using again. Sniffing either a raw or cooked egg is a simple but reliable way to tell if an egg has gone bad. In addition to your nose, your eyes are a valuable tool for telling whether an egg is good or bad.

Sliminess or cracks can indicate the presence of bacteria, while a powdery appearance on the shell may indicate mold 4. If the shell appears dry and undamaged, crack the egg into a clean, white bowl or plate before using. Look for any pink, blue, green or black discoloration in the yolk or whites , as this may indicate bacterial growth 3 , 4. If you notice any signs of discoloration, throw the egg out and wash the bowl with hot, soapy water before testing a new egg.

You can also check to see if the whites or yolk of the egg are runny. This is an indication that the egg is old and that the quality has declined. But this does not necessarily mean it has gone bad, and it can still be perfectly fine to use 4. In addition to sniffing an egg, check its shell for signs of bacteria and mold.