In this brief guide, we’ll address the search query: “What happens if you leave eggs in the sun?” Also, we’ll explore how eggs should be stored appropriately, what the parts of an egg are, and how to tell if eggs have spoiled.
What happens if you leave eggs in the sun?
If eggs are left in the sun, this will have detrimental effects on their shelf life. Namely, exposing eggs to high temperatures makes their fatty acids turn rancid prematurely, and as a result, they can spoil with more ease. They may also absorb more moisture and this can make it easier for microbes to grow on their surface.
Adequately storing eggs is important for maximizing their shelf life, and prolonging the quality of their nutritional content.
On average, eggs can last for up to five weeks after they’ve been laid, collected, and packaged before they begin to spoil. However, exposing them to high temperatures, moisture, and handling them poorly can shorten this shelf-life expectancy.
Our users may need to anticipate how soon they’ll make use of their purchased eggs so that they can decide what storage option best suits their needs, reduces their waste, and helps them economize both space and money.
How should eggs be appropriately stored?
Eggs can be stored either at room temperature, in refrigeration, or at subzero temperatures. This will, of course, depend on how large a cache of eggs our readers come across, and fittingly, how soon they intend to use them.
If, for example, our readers use eggs for baking, or use large volumes of eggs in a short period, it may be in their best interest to store their eggs in a cool, dry pantry.
However, if they use their purchased eggs relatively sparingly, they may benefit more from storing them in refrigeration, where cool temperatures can maximize their shelf life. When storing eggs in refrigeration, our readers should store them on shelves where the temperature is constantly cool, and if possible, near the source of cooling.
Lastly, if our readers buy in bulk and are worried about their eggs spoiling before they’re used, subzero storage is feasible. Eggs can be frozen either individually or in bulk, by taking them out of their shells and whisking the eggs and whites together.
Eggs frozen in bulk can be stored mixed within a heavy-duty freezer bag and taken out for preparing dishes such as baked goods, or for scrambling them on a skillet or pan.
Individually frozen eggs can be stored either whisked or separated, as our readers can split the whites from the yolks and freeze them separately. Eggs can be frozen individually by cracking the shell and emptying the contents into an ice cube tray.
From there, they can be flash frozen until they solidify, and once hardened into a tiny block, they can be transferred to a heavy-duty freezer bag for long-term storage.
Frozen eggs can keep for up to one year at peak freshness, though they may remain safe to consume well after the said period.
To defrost eggs, these can be taken out of the freezer (as needed, if they’ve been individually frozen) as needed, or if they’ve been frozen in bulk, they can be left to thaw out overnight in refrigeration.
Eggs should not be defrosted at room temperature, as this may favor the growth of naturally present bacteria, such as Salmonella.
What are the parts of an egg?
The parts of an egg include:
- The shell – the outermost layer, is comprised of calcium carbonate. The shell is not impermeable and allows for the exchange of gases. Additionally, it can absorb ambient humidity.
- The membranes – these layers are found on the inside of the shell, They protect the interior contents from bacteria and other microbes that may begin to use the eggs as a source of sustenance.
- The white- also known as the albumen, is a viscous, mostly liquid medium that contains proteins, from which an embryo (if the egg has been fertilized) can source nutrients and grow.
- The yolk – the bright yellow disc in the egg, contains fatty acids that the embryo can source for nutrients and grow.
- Other accessory structures include the chalazae- which are protein strands that fix the yolk within the egg, though these are severed when the egg is cracked.
How can I tell if eggs have spoiled?
Our readers can tell if eggs have spoiled by inspecting them for any cracks, performing a float test, or if the cracked eggs have a watery consistency, give off a foul smell, or are discolored.
A float test consists in dunking eggs in a basin of water to determine whether or not they float. If they float, too much air has permeated through the shell, and the fatty acid content will have begun to denature, turning rancid. As a result, the eggs will float and no longer be fit for consumption.
We encourage our readers to prioritize their health and store their eggs adequately, making sure that their method of choice prolongs their product’s shelf life and assures their safety.
Conclusion
In this brief guide, we’ve addressed the search query: “What happens if you leave eggs in the sun?” Also, we’ve explored how eggs should be stored appropriately, what the parts of an egg are, and how to tell if eggs have spoiled.