- Examine the shell before cracking.
Results:
- Fresh: Shell is clean, smooth, and not slimy.
- Rotten: Cracked, slimy, or powdery shells (which can mean bacteria or mold).
Inside:
After cracking, the white should be thick and the yolk round and well-centered. A watery white or flattened yolk indicates age.
4. The Shake Test
How to do it:
- Hold the egg up to your ear and gently shake it.
Results:
- Fresh: You won’t hear or feel much movement inside.
- Old or rotten: You’ll hear sloshing sounds — a sign that the egg’s contents have thinned and loosened.
5. The Candling Test (Used by Farmers)
How to do it:
- In a dark room, shine a bright flashlight behind the egg.
Results:
- Fresh egg: The yolk is firm, and the air cell is small.
- Old or bad egg: Large air cell, moving yolk, or dark spots inside.
This test helps you see what’s happening inside the shell without cracking it.
Quick Summary
