How can I tell if an egg is fresh?
Just before you cook the egg, submerge it in warm water. If it floats, throw it away as it has passed the point that it should be eaten. The best fresh egg will lay on it's side. If it stands on it’s end it is still fresh and good to eat, it is just not as fresh as it would be if it laid on it's side.
If you keep your eggs refrigerated in a 40-degree (or slightly cooler) temperature your eggs should last about six weeks.
For cooking purposed try to let them come to room temperature for your recipe. At this point you are wondering how the eggs you buy in the store are handled. In commercial operations they wash the eggs and then put a coating of mineral on it to prolong the shelf life. This is not as good as leaving the bloom on as it shortens the length of time you can store a fresh egg.
SPECIAL NOTE: Some players will tell you to use cold water when cleaning an egg. We will advise against this as the cold water will cause the porous egg to suck in the bacteria whereas warm water causes the inside of the egg to expand and press against the shell which will block the bacteria from entering.
How do I clean an egg?
Firstly, the hygiene of the source determine that as eggs should not be dirty if proper mechanism is been put in place from the source. Regardless, they might have a spot or two to be cleaned off.
The best way is to spot clean an egg so that you do not remove the bloom. Remember the bloom is protecting the egg. However, if they require more cleaning you could rinse them off with warm water, immediately dry them and put them in the refrigerator or use them right away.
You should also note that you should not use cold water as this will cause the porous egg to suck in the bacteria whereas warm water causes the inside of the egg to expand and press against the shell which will block the bacteria from entering. After you do this you should inspect the egg for cracks and if they have some – throw them away as the bacteria has already entered the egg.
Should I leave the chicken manure on the egg?
I assure you that chicken manure can be a health hazard. Salmonella and Campylobacter are carried by healthy chickens. These diseases are usually not communicated by the live chicken to people. They can, however, be communicated to people through direct exposure to chicken manure, or by eating under cooked chicken and eggs.
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