Chef shares secret on 'best spot' to store eggs to stop whites turning watery
Eggs are a staple ingredient in most people's diets, but how you store them can affect their freshness. A chef has shared the best spot to keep eggs to stop the whites turning watery
The debate on proper egg storage has stirred quite the conversation between those preferring to chill their eggs and others who stand by room-temperature storage. Unlike in the US, where eggs are washed and sanitised thereby requiring refrigeration, UK packaged eggs retain their natural protective coating, yet many Brits staunchly support keeping eggs in the fridge for extended freshness.
Mastering a fusion of classical French cooking and contemporary gastronomy, Dean Harper of Harper Fine Dining is well versed in the science of food and ingredient preservation. He insists that eggs "should definitely be stored in the fridge, but not just anywhere."
Speaking with the Express, he advised: "Warmer temperatures and frequent handling can speed up the decline of freshness-that's why it's said to treat your eggs gently."
Emphasising consistent, undisturbed coolness for preserving egg quality, Dean shared a tip from his experiences: "On the other hand, keeping them consistently cold and undisturbed slows this down, and this method's stuck with me since my early culinary days."
He strongly champions storing eggs in the colder climes of the fridge, recommended to be between three and five degrees Celsius (37F to 40F), for maintaining egg integrity.
Revealing his insight into the ultimate refrigeration tactic, Dean highlights that the "best spot" for eggs is not the fridge door but the main compartment.
Concluding his storage wisdom, Dean said: "Temperature fluctuations from opening and closing the door can cause the whites to break down faster. This is a tip I picked up ages ago, and it truly makes a difference", he divulged.
Watery egg whites can occur as eggs become older, losing carbon dioxide and moisture. Dean added, "As an egg ages, it starts to lose moisture, and this affects the texture. Such changes can be subtle, but even a few days can affect your poached eggs."
Preserving eggs in the fridge involves more than just temperature control.
Dean pointed out that at Fortnum & Mason, eggs are always stored in cartons, explaining, "That's key. The carton helps prevent the eggs from absorbing strong odours from other foods and shields them from light, which can break them down faster."
The food expert remarked, "What fascinates me is that sometimes, the simplest steps are often overlooked, yet they make all the difference in food quality."
Egg storage experts at British Lion Eggs also advocate for using traditional egg cartons instead of trendy holders or even the fridge's dedicated egg shelf.
The carton not only provides protection but also displays the best-before date, a guide to freshness rather than an absolute indicator for disposal, according to Sophie Trueman, UK&I Country Director at Too Good To Go.
Sophie explains that Best Before dates suggest when eggs are most fresh, offering more leeway than Use by or Expiry dates that are tied to food safety.
A bad egg becomes obvious once cracked open; it should smell neutral and clean. If there's a sulphur-like or foul odour, it's safer to bin the egg.
If the egg appears and smells normal, you can carry out a small taste test. Whip up a tiny bit and give it a try before deciding to consume the entire egg.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
5 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Urgent warning to any UK household with artificial grass this summer
Artificial turf is convenient at best, but anyone with fake grass in their garden is urged to take extra precautions before lighting the barbecue this summer Artificial grass can save you a huge amount of time and effort when it comes to maintenance – however, they can pose a huge risk when it comes to barbecue season. The summer has proved to be hot so far and many Brits are organising garden parties and barbecues. After all, nothing screams sunshine and holiday-fever quite like the hearty smell of smoked sausage and toasting burger buns. Unfortunately, experts warn that artificial grass owners need to be extra careful when lighting up their barbecues – otherwise they risk melting their garden. Artificial grass is typically made from high-quality synthetic material that is flame retardant. However, while it may not catch fire, it can still melt if it comes into contact with things like fireworks, cigarette butts and barbecues. Not only will this ruin the look of your garden, it can be costly to replace. Plus, leaving hot material on your artificial grass also risks damaging the turf below it. So, what's the solution? Fortunately, there are multiple ways around this issue that don't involve cancelling your barbecue parties. James Higgins, a gardening expert from Grass247, says: 'Having a BBQ in the sun is an essential activity for many Brits, but we understand the concerns you may have for your artificial turf. As long as you take the necessary safety measures, and take into account the type of barbecue you are using, it's absolutely okay to have a barbecue on artificial grass.' As for the best kind of barbecue to use, James says: 'It's recommended to use a metal standing barbecue on your fake grass, as this is raised and should stop any flames or heat from damaging the materials.' This doesn't mean that you can't use a disposable barbecue, however. In that case, James warns to 'never place it directly on the turf' and instead place it on a raised platform. He explains: 'You can create a platform using a metal table or stand, or rocks to protect the ground.' This way you don't have to invest in metal barbecue if it doesn't match your needs. Artificial grass owners should also be mindful of any hot, burning materials on their grass. To keep your garden safe, James urges that dropped hot food or spills should be 'cleared away quickly.' If you have already spilt hot food on your artificial grass, then there are a couple of ways to rectify the damage. James suggest simply trimming away the melted material, before cleaning the area with a surface cleaner to get rid of stains and bacteria. You should also take care to dispose of artificial grass trimmings. Otherwise, they risk becoming food for unsuspecting pets, who may be harmed by the grass' sharp texture. Unfortunately, despite your best efforts, you may find that the damage is permanent. In that case, it's best to call professionals in to replace it.
The Sun
14 hours ago
- The Sun
I thought I was getting a tasty pizza from Too Good To Go but it was so bad people think it was ‘dine-in leftovers'
A WOMAN was left baffled after making her first Too Good To Go order – only to find her pizza chucked in a plastic bag when she went to collect it. Victoria Scholes paid £3.70 to nab a bargain pizza from a local eatery, but the grub didn't look too appetising. 3 3 3 Rather tan using a carboard pizza box, as one might expect, the restaurant put loose slices in a plastic carrier bag for her instead. After collection her meal, Victoria, 32, took to TikTok to show off her pizza - and the video soon went viral. 'I didn't realise until I got to the car that the bag had no other packaging and the pizza slices were just tossed inside,' she told What's The Jam. 'I was shocked but because it was my first time using the app, I didn't know if this was standard protocol – which is why I posted the TikTok asking other people about their experiences.' Sharing the video on TikTok, Victoria can be heard giggling in shock as she shows the pile of pizza slices in the bag. One person commented: 'I'd be scared they're giving me peoples leftovers.' 'That's a left over pizza from dine in 1000%,' another user guessed. Someone else wrote: 'Man my standards are so low I would've eaten it without a second thought.' 'How my purse looks after the bar,' joked another viewer. Another person added: 'This is unacceptable. Wtf.' [sic] The Sun tries Wetherspoons' new menu Victoria, from Peterborough, Ontario, Canada, contacted Too Good To Go and was issued a refund and an apology. She claims they told her it was a 'lapse in service' and called it 'absolutely unacceptable and not hygienic at all' to serve pizza in a plastic bag. Victoria added: 'It's not a lot of money but I wanted a refund for the principle.' Despite the experience, she says it hasn't put her off of the app – though she won't be ordering from that particular pizza place again. The 'right' way to store food 1. Use Airtight Containers This helps to prevent exposure to air which can cause your food to go off. A glass container can help to be more hygienic and a sustainable option. 2. Label Everything By labelling your food it helps to keep track of expiry dates and avoid food waste. 3. Store Like Items Together This makes it easier to find what you are looking for. Use fridge dividers or reusabale bags to help section your fridge. 4. Use the Fridge and Freezer Wisely Keep raw meat on the bottom shelf to avoid contamination, and use the freezer for longer-term storage. 5. Rotate Your Stock Place newer items at the back and bring the older ones forward. This will mean you will be able to notice the foods that need eating first. How does Too Good To Go work? To use Too Good To Go, download its app on your smartphone and create an account. You can then select your area by entering your location and drop the pin on where you'll be picking up your surplus food bags. On the app, you can select the distance you'd be willing to travel, based on whether you'll be walking, using public transport or driving. The app will then show you the Too Good To Go locations available in your area. These are grouped in categories including supermarkets, groceries and baked goods. There are also options to collect food straight away, or later for dinner. You can then scroll through the app to see what's available and click "see all" to check all the options within a category. Too Good To Go will then tell you how much you can save with each surprise bag. Prices usually range between £2 and £6, with shoppers saving at least 30% on every order. When clicking on a listing, you will get information on the exact location of the cafe, restaurant or supermarket, as well as collection times available, and the price of the bag. The listing also shows the average rating other users have given that particular business. Once you've decided what you want to pick up, simply click the "reserve" button to ensure it is assigned to you. collection. Then go to the shop at the assigned time, show your collection on the app to a staff member and enjoy your discounted surplus food.
Daily Mirror
18 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Exact times you can legally mow your garden lawn on weekend without facing fine
People will be out in their gardens mowing the lawn, but there are exact times you can legally do it without facing a fine - and there are different rules for weekdays and weekends As 'No Mow May' has come to an end, garden enthusiasts can dust off their lawn mowers for the season's first trim. However, they're being warned to watch the clock when it comes to weekend gardening or risk facing fines of up to £5,000. Local authorities have the power to penalise those who disrupt the peace by mowing at unsociable hours, with potential Noise Abatement Notices on the cards if your grass-cutting grates on the neighbours. During the week, firing up the mower between 8am and 8pm is generally fine, but come the weekend, it's best to keep it between 9am and 7pm to avoid any trouble, reports the Express. East Coast Fencing advises: "Most people naturally opt for weekends to complete household and garden chores, including mowing the lawn. However, weekends are also when noise complaints tend to rise as families aim to relax or catch up on sleep. To prevent frustrations, pay extra attention to the timing of your mowing on Saturdays and Sundays. "On weekdays, acceptable mowing hours typically range from around 8am to 8pm in residential areas. This range takes into account workers who may need to start their lawns early before their workday or later in the evening upon returning home. Weekday allowances are often slightly more flexible compared to weekends. "During weekends, stricter noise rules may apply due to the majority of residential homes being occupied throughout the day. For instance, many councils recommend no lawn mowing before 9am on Saturdays and 10am on Sundays, with a cut-off time of 7pm. These specific timings may vary depending on local council noise regulations, so checking their advice is strongly recommended. "There is no nationwide restriction on when individuals may cut their grass; however, the Environmental Protection Act 1990 provides local authorities with powers to address noise that constitutes a statutory nuisance." Daniel McAfee, Head of Legal Operations at Lawhive, explains: "Non-compliance with an abatement notice can lead to prosecution and a fine of up to £5,000 for domestic premises. This is not an empty threat - these fines are real, and local authorities do enforce them. "To be more precise, noise that is excessive, unreasonable, and persistent, particularly during unsociable hours, can result in abatement notices, fines up to £5,000, and in some cases, even prosecution. "Avoid very early or late hours. Generally speaking, it's safest to operate noisy tools between 9am and 7pm. Notify neighbours in advance of using machinery like hedge trimmers or pressure washers. Opt for quieter tools where possible. "Limit duration and avoid back-to-back noisy days, especially on weekends. Consider your neighbours' specific circumstances (e.g., shift workers, infants), and adjust accordingly."
