[SPLIT] Eggs:Care and Keeping Of(Was:What UK thing ...)

The obsession with use-by dates on food...but eggs are not refrigerated in the shops.  I'm a little weird about eggs anyway, and I have to carefully not think about the unrefrigerated eggs or I get really yucked out. On the other hand, I think I can figure out whether my lettuce is still good to use...

The eggs aren't usually washed, either.  Feathers and poop aren't good on food!  However, eggs are OK unrefrigerated for a while.  I just do a shake test on all the eggs I buy here.  I often find ones that are too old, or are broken in the box.  Then I pester the shop staff to clean up the egg section....

I just do a shake test on all the eggs I buy here. 

Madeira, what is the "shake test"? When you shake them, how should they be, what are you looking for? Sorry I have never heard of that before.

Madeira, what is the "shake test"? When you shake them, how should they be, what are you looking for? Sorry I have never heard of that before.

you shouldn't hear "peep peep peep peep peep" when you shake them 

It's easy.  Just shake the egg.  Fresh eggs won't have any internal movement.  Old eggs will, as their air sacs are depleted.  I'm not saying that older eggs can't be eaten... but I won't buy them.

The eggs aren't usually washed, either. 

Why would that matter?  You don't eat the shell!!!


Vicky

Well, we can't sell any eggs with dirt/poop/dead chicken residue on them as Grade A in Canada, and now that is being extended to B and C.  They (soon) can only be used as animal feed if they're unwashed.  Sure, you don't usually eat the shell... but shell bits do sometimes get into food.  Contamination can happen when you crack the egg, as well.  Washing is just a normal egg station procedure in NA.  I hope people wash theirs at home here, especially if they eat them raw.

It's easy.  Just shake the egg.  Fresh eggs won't have any internal movement.  Old eggs will, as their air sacs are depleted.  I'm not saying that older eggs can't be eaten... but I won't buy them.

Thanks for the explanation.  

niku2 - Yikes. I am not a big egg person but do have to use them occasionally, of course now I won't get that out of my mind.  

At first I was surprised that all the eggs here are brown (vs. white, which most are in the States). But seeing ones with poop on them really grossed me out, as did the lack of refrigeration. Eggs last a long time, but I still think they should be cleaned and cool.

See, now, that's the umpteenth time I've heard about only brown eggs here...
I've always seen both!  Whether at Tesco or Waitrose...
(and SOON to be Borough Market YEAY! Sorry.  couldn't help meself )

See, now, that's the umpteenth time I've heard about only brown eggs here...
I've always seen both!  Whether at Tesco or Waitrose...
(and SOON to be Borough Market YEAY! Sorry.  couldn't help meself )

I have a craving for goose eggs now...soft boiled, unrefrigerated, and covered with dirt and feathers, yum yum!!!

 

Vicky

Perhaps an ostrich egg, for a mere £10?  Looks like it serves a family of 4... or 6...

At first I was surprised that all the eggs here are brown (vs. white, which most are in the States). But seeing ones with poop on them really grossed me out, as did the lack of refrigeration. Eggs last a long time, but I still think they should be cleaned and cool.

I love poopy eggs!    I sometimes get them from my aunt's chickens, and I think it's great that there are bits of feathers and chicken poo stuck to them!

Um.
Feathers, fine.
Poultric^© fecal matter?  Notsomuch.

I love poopy eggs!    I sometimes get them from my aunt's chickens, and I think it's great that there are bits of feathers and chicken poo stuck to them!

Yes, but do you wash them before you eat them, or do you eat them feathers and poo and all? 

I am washing all my eggs from now on! Like I needed even more complexes about eggs...