5 ways to tell if an egg is fresh or rotten

SAVE THIS!

1. The Water Float Test

Place the egg in a bowl of cold water:

• Sinks and lies flat → very fresh
• Sinks but stands upright → still safe, use soon
• Floats to the top → discard (rotten)

Why it works: older eggs trap more air inside.

2. Crack-and-Smell Test

Crack the egg into a separate bowl:

• Fresh egg smells neutral or slightly clean
• Bad egg has a strong sulfur or rotten odor

This is the most reliable test.

3. Check the Yolk & White

Look at the egg after cracking:

• Fresh: firm, round yolk; thick, gel-like whites
• Old: flat yolk; watery, spread-out whites

4. Shake Test

Hold the egg near your ear and shake gently:

• Fresh: no sound
• Old or spoiled: sloshing sound inside

(Use this as a quick check, not the only test.)

5. Shell Appearance

Inspect the shell:

• Fresh: matte, slightly rough shell
• Old or bad: shiny, slimy, cracked, or powdery shell

Sliminess may indicate bacterial growth — discard immediately.