5 ways to tell if an egg is fresh or rotten

  • 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.

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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.

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Quick Summary

TestFresh EggRotten Egg
Float TestSinksFloats
Smell TestNo odorSulfur smell
VisualSmooth shell, firm yolkSlimy shell, flat yolk
ShakeNo soundSloshing
CandlingSmall air cellLarge air cell, dark spots