Blog · Eggs
How to tell if eggs are fresh: the float test
Not sure how old those eggs are? Put one in a bowl of water. If it sinks and lies flat, it's fresh. If it stands on end, it's getting old. If it floats, it's old, but it might still be fine: crack it into a bowl and give it a sniff and a look. Here's the whole test, plus how to store eggs so they last.

Sink or float?
| sinks and lies flat | fresh |
|---|---|
| sinks, stands on end | older |
| floats | old |
| smells off when cracked | toss it |
An egg that floats can still be fine. Crack it into a bowl and give it a sniff and a look.
Store them right
| fridge | 40°F or colder |
|---|---|
| store in the carton | not the door |
| raw, in the shell | 3 to 5 weeks |
| hard-boiled | 1 week |
| out of the fridge | 2 hours, tops |
Store-bought US eggs are washed, which strips their natural coating. Keep them cold.
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