In an age where most of our food comes pre-packaged and ready for consumption, it’s easy to overlook the importance of checking the freshness of our groceries—especially something as staple as eggs. Eggs are a versatile and nutritious component of many recipes, but using a bad egg can ruin a dish or, worse, make you sick. As more people return to cooking at home and exploring traditional methods, reliable ways to test egg freshness are being celebrated. One such method comes from Nana—a simple yet effective trick passed down through generations. Let’s delve into this easy technique that ensures you always have the freshest eggs at your table.

The Importance of Egg Freshness

Fresh eggs are crucial not only for their culinary quality but also for their safety. Fresh eggs have better texture, taste, and nutritional content compared to older ones. In baking, they contribute to better rising and structure. From a safety perspective, consuming stale or bad eggs can lead to foodborne illnesses, such as salmonella. This makes it essential to differentiate between fresh and not-so-fresh eggs. Understanding the importance of egg freshness can prevent culinary disasters and protect your health.

Nana’s Simple Trick for Testing Egg Freshness

Nana’s trick for testing egg freshness is delightfully simple and requires no special equipment—just a bowl of water. This age-old method involves placing the egg in water and observing its behavior. The insight behind this technique lies in the natural changes that occur inside an egg over time. As eggs age, the small air pocket inside them grows larger. This change can be detected easily using the water test.

Step-by-Step Guide to Nana’s Egg Freshness Test