How to Tell if an Egg is Good and How to Keep Them Fresh Longer

Liputan6.com, Jakarta - Eggs are one of the most useful foods in any kitchen. You can cook them in many ways, and they go well with almost everything. But sometimes, you are not sure if the eggs in your fridge are still safe to eat. Knowing how to tell if an egg is good can help you avoid getting sick and wasting food.

Many people buy a carton of eggs and forget about them for a few weeks. Before you know it, the expiration date has passed, and you are left wondering if those eggs are still okay. This is a very common situation, and it happens to almost everyone at some point.

In this article, we will learn some methods on how to tell if an egg is good and how to store it correctly so they can last longer. We will also share some tips to use up your eggs before they go bad. We gathered the information from various sources, Wednesday (17/6/2026).

Not every egg that looks fine on the outside is safe to eat. Luckily, there are several easy ways to check whether an egg is still fresh before you crack it open. Here are the most helpful methods to use at home.

1. Try the Float Test

Fill a bowl or a glass with cold water and gently place the egg inside. A fresh egg will sink to the bottom and lay flat on its side. An egg that stands upright on the bottom is still safe to eat but is getting older. If the egg floats to the top, it has gone bad and you should throw it away. This works because air builds up inside the egg over time, and that air makes it float.

2. Check the Expiration Date

Look at the date printed on the egg carton. Most eggs are labeled with a "best by" or "sell by" date. In general, eggs can still be good for three to five weeks after you buy them, even if the date has passed. However, always use other checks too, since dates alone are not always perfectly reliable.

3. Smell the Egg

This is one of the most straightforward ways to know if an egg has spoiled. Crack the egg into a small bowl and bring it close to your nose. A bad egg will have a very strong and unpleasant smell, almost like sulfur. A good egg will have almost no smell at all. If it smells off in any way, do not eat it.

4. Look at the Shell

Before you do anything else, take a close look at the shell. A good egg should have a clean, smooth, and uncracked shell. If you see any cracks, slime, or a powdery coating on the outside, it is best to throw that egg away. These signs mean bacteria may have already gotten inside.

5. Examine the Inside

Once you crack the egg into a bowl, look at what is inside. A fresh egg will have a firm, rounded yolk that sits up high and a thick egg white that stays close to the yolk. An older egg will have a flatter yolk and a thinner, more watery white that spreads out a lot. While an older egg may still be safe to eat, it is better suited for baking or scrambling than for dishes like poached eggs where appearance matters.

Once you know your eggs are good, you want to keep them that way for as long as possible. Proper storage makes a big difference. Here are some practical tips to help your eggs stay fresh.

1. Keep Them in the Refrigerator

Always store your eggs in the fridge. Cold temperatures slow down the growth of bacteria and help eggs stay fresh much longer. Eggs kept at room temperature will go bad much faster, especially in warm or humid climates.

2. Leave Them in the Original Carton

It might be tempting to move eggs to the special egg tray inside your fridge door, but the carton is actually a better place for them. The carton helps protect the eggs from absorbing strong smells from other foods. It also keeps the eggs from drying out, since eggshells are porous and can lose moisture over time.

3. Store Them Pointed End Down

If possible, store your eggs with the pointed end facing down. This helps the yolk stay centered inside the egg and keeps the air pocket at the top, which can help the egg stay fresher for a bit longer.

4. Keep Them Away From Strong Smells

Eggs can absorb odors from nearby foods in your fridge, which can affect their taste. Store them away from strong-smelling items like onions, garlic, or fish to keep the flavor clean.

5. Freeze Them if You Have Too Many

If you have more eggs than you can use before they go bad, you can freeze them. Do not freeze eggs in the shell. Instead, crack them into a container, mix the yolks and whites together gently, and store them in the freezer. They can last for up to a year this way. Frozen eggs work well for cooking and baking once thawed.

If your eggs are getting close to the end of their freshness, one smart move is to cook or bake them into something that can be stored for several days or even weeks. Here are some great ideas that use a good number of eggs and keep well after you make them.

- Bake Cookies: Many cookie recipes use two to four eggs and can be stored in an airtight container for up to two weeks. They are easy to make in large batches.

- Bake a Pound Cake: A classic pound cake uses four to six eggs and stays moist for several days when wrapped well. It also freezes nicely for up to three months.

- Make Brownies: Most brownie recipes call for two to four eggs. Brownies keep well at room temperature for up to one week in a sealed container.

- Bake Banana Bread: A loaf of banana bread uses two to three eggs and stays fresh for several days. You can also freeze the whole loaf for later.

- Make Crepes and Freeze Them: Crepe batter uses several eggs at once. Cook a big batch, stack them with parchment paper between each one, and freeze for up to two months.

- Make Egg Pasta from Scratch: Homemade pasta dough uses one egg for every 100 grams of flour. You can dry the pasta and store it for weeks, just like store bought pasta.

- Bake a Quiche: A quiche uses four to six eggs mixed with cream and fillings. It keeps in the fridge for up to four days and can also be frozen in slices.

- Make Custard or Pudding: Custard uses several egg yolks and keeps in the fridge for up to four days. It is a rich and satisfying dessert that is easy to prepare ahead.

- Make Pickled Eggs: Hard boil a large batch of eggs and place them in a jar with vinegar, salt, and spices. Pickled eggs can last in the fridge for up to three months.

- Bake Madeleines: These small French cakes use three to four eggs and stay fresh in a sealed container for up to one week. They are simple to make and great for sharing.