How Long You Should Store Your Eggs
The egg continues to show up in some of your best, most convenient meals at an affordable price. Considering how healthy, versatile, and delicious an egg can be, it should make sense to buy and store them as long as possible. Although, as time passes, the shelf life of any food we ingest comes into consideration as we, (ahem), "scramble" to figure out ways to use them. See what I did there? But when properly stored, eggs rarely go rotten.
According to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), eggs last three to five weeks from the time of purchase. They should be:
Kept in the refrigerator at 40 degrees F
Away from pungent foods such as onions and ferments
In the original container
On an inside shelf. This method ensures temperature will remain constant instead of the door that consistently swings open
Freezing your eggs can be a creative option for those who purchase wholesale. Just make sure the egg is opened, outside its shell, in an airtight container, and labeled. You can defrost them overnight. This method allows for storage for up to one year.
The date on the egg carton is something else you should consider. Usually, for an egg carton bought at the supermarket, you'll find three digits located on the side indicating what day of the year a carton of eggs was packed. This number is called "The Julian Date." The Julian Date represents the consecutive days of the year. Confusing-right? So basically, 001 represents Jan 1 while 365 represents Dec 31. Your eggs will still be delicious after about 4-5 weeks after this date.
Your older batches of eggs will still hold a good amount of nutritional and versatile value. Just make sure to check for cracks in the shell and follow your nose. A rotten egg will have a distinctive odor, so you'll know when to throw it out.
As the days dwindle by, you can find amazing-ly omega-rich and protein-packed recipes to fill your breakfast, lunch, and dinner roster. And when you do, remember, you have to crack a few eggs to make an omelet. Cheers!