Shea Simmons
Sure, you wash your fruits and veggies, but should you also be bathing your eggs? Well, the answer is a bit complicated.
When it comes to store-bought eggs, you should avoid washing them. According to Marisa Bunning, professor and food safety extension specialist at Colorado State University, eggs at the grocery store or farmer’s market have already gone through a procedure that sanitizes them.
“It’s not a good idea, because washing these eggs could actually lead to problems, especially if someone washed their eggs in really hot or really cold water,” Bunning said. “The shell is porous. It’s just extra work and wastes water.”
What about fresh eggs straight from the farm? If you have a friend who owns chickens, or you’ve got some yourself, that’s where things are different.
Backyard eggs should likely be washed unless they’re from a grower that you know for sure has clean nesting boxes. If, however, you see any dirt or debris, it’s wash time.
To wash an egg properly, use warm water and an emery cloth or brush to gently clean the shell. However, don’t let the eggs sit in water, as the porous shell might absorb it. To get your dozen extra clean, you can use a small bit of unscented dish detergent.
Now that you’ve got perfectly clean eggs, it’s time to whip up something delicious!
[Via Real Simple]
