Most Americans assume that eggs always have to be refrigerated. But is that true? That’s what we’re going to be talking about in today’s video.
So do eggs have to be refrigerated or can they be kept out at room temperature?
Well, did you know that many European countries actually don’t refrigerate their eggs, which is just so different from here in America where eggs are always refrigerated?
So what’s the discrepancy? Why the difference?
It Depends on Whether the Eggs Have Been Washed
When the chicken lays an egg, it puts this invisible antibacterial coating on it called the cuticle or the bloom and that coating helps prevent bacteria from entering the egg.
When you wash an egg, you end up washing off that protective layer, which makes it more susceptible to bacteria. In the U.S., eggs are required to be washed, which means they’re required to be refrigerated.
But in many other places around the world, eggs are prohibited from being washed, which means they are perfectly safe to leave out. So as long as you are not washing your eggs, you can leave your eggs out on the counter just fine.
But one thing that you should keep in mind is that refrigerated eggs do last longer. I’ve heard some sources say that one day out on the counter is the equivalent of about one week in the fridge. So if you’re not planning on using your unrefrigerated eggs in the first couple weeks, I recommend putting them in the refrigerator anyways.
And remember, since all store bought eggs here in the U.S. are washed, you have to refrigerate them. So don’t go buying eggs from the grocery store and then bring them home and leave them on your counter. That’s not something you want to do.
Now that’s all for today’s two minute quick tip. I hope you found that extremely helpful. If you want to learn more about U.S. egg production and labels, check out my video breaking down the differences and truth behind our most common labels.
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