Preserving the taste and benefits, or how many and how to properly store quail eggs

Quail eggs occupy a special place in the menu of healthy, proper nutrition.

Very small (several times smaller than chicken ones), they contain a maximum of useful substances and microelements that prolong human life and health.

Quail eggs are not only healthy, but also very tasty. Observing the terms, storage conditions and temperature, they can be consumed in any form (boiled, fried and even raw).

We will tell you how long quail eggs can be stored in this article.

General terms and conditions

Homemade quail eggs stored in accordance with the following requirements:

• The storage location is dry and cool (the best option is a refrigerator);
• storage temperature is not lower than 0 and not higher than +24C;
• The optimal air humidity is 65-69%.

Shelf life of raw product

Depending on temperature conditions, raw quail eggs suitable for use:

1. At room temperature (up to +25°C) from 25 to 35 days.
2. In the refrigerator (from 0°C to +8°C) for a maximum of sixty days.

The product must be stored at an air humidity of at least 70%.The thing is that when stored for a long time, quail eggs dry out very quickly and become light, almost weightless.

Also, do not suddenly change the temperature conditions of storage (frequently move the product from the refrigerator to the table and back). Constantly changing temperature, light and humidity of the surrounding area sharply reduce the shelf life of the product.

How to store boiled?

To prevent boiled quail eggs from causing severe eating disorders, There are some tips to remember:

1. At room temperature (+18°C and above), the cooked product remains fresh for no longer than twelve hours.
2. Boiled quail eggs can be stored in the refrigerator (up to +5°C) for a maximum of seven days (if the shell is covered with cracks, the shelf life is reduced to three days). Before placing in the refrigerator, each egg must be carefully inspected for cracks. If the shell is damaged, the product must be disposed of immediately. Before placing quail eggs in the refrigerator, they are placed in a special plastic container with cells.

You can find out how long boiled quail eggs last here.

This video will tell you about storing quail eggs:

Is it possible to increase the storage period?

Extend the shelf life of quail eggs to eight months Some “tricks” of experienced farmers will help.

Fat treatment

Lubricating quail eggs with fat is a simple, time-tested method that allows you to maximize the shelf life of the product.

Algorithm of actions:

• the bottom of a wooden lattice box is lined with wood shavings;
• melt pork fat in a water bath in a glass container;
• using a wide brush, carefully coat each egg with melted fat, and then place the sharp end down on the bottom of the box;
• The eggs are laid in several rows (each covered with a layer of straw), the last row is also covered with a layer of straw.

The secret of this method is simple: melted fat fills the micropores on the shell, enveloping it with a durable protective layer.

Brush with egg white

To extend the shelf life of quail eggs, protein treatment method is often used. Just like fat, protein creates a protective layer on the shell that prevents the penetration of bacteria, extending the shelf life of the product.

The egg is coated with white in several layers. It is very important to apply each new layer only after the previous one has dried. The processed egg is carefully wrapped in a paper napkin, and then placed in a prepared container for storage.

Paraffin application

To apply a protective layer of wax to a quail egg, necessary:

• melt some wax in a water bath;
• Carefully, one by one, dip the eggs into the melted wax;
• Cool the product at room temperature, then store it in the refrigerator or cellar.

Before application, paraffin must be cooled slightly.

Disinfection with potassium permanganate

Everyone knows the disinfecting properties of potassium permanganate.. To extend the shelf life of quail eggs, just dip them for ten seconds in a saturated solution of potassium permanganate.

Soaking in saline solution

Dissolve 1 tbsp in warm water (1 liter). table salt.

After that, after keeping the eggs in the resulting solution (at least ten minutes), they are stored in the refrigerator.

During the period of maximum storage of eggs, at least once a month it is necessary to check the product for freshness, removing damaged copies.

How can you tell if eggs have started to disappear and are no longer suitable for eating?

When buying quail eggs, special attention should be paid to the smoothness and color of the shell. A fresh product of higher quality has a clean, glossy surface, without any damage (breeding grounds for bacteria) or stains.

The second point is weight. Fresh product weighs on average 12 grams. The longer the egg sits on the counter, the lighter it becomes.

When buying eggs at the market, it is easy to check the weight on a control scale so that, if necessary, you can return a low-quality product to an unscrupulous seller.

The third point is the smell. A product that is unfit for consumption is indicated by a sharp, rotten odor that is difficult not to smell.

The fourth point is sound. The egg is shaken intensely near the ear. A squelching, gurgling sound is a sign of a spoiled product.

Freshness can be determined by the internal contents of the egg. If the yolk holds a round shape and does not spread, the product is fresh. If the white and yolk moved on the plate into a single mass, you should stop eating such an egg.

Adviсe

Dishes with boiled quail eggs, especially with mayonnaise, are suitable for consumption within four to six hours (they must be thrown away later).

Quail eggs cannot be washed (except for consumption raw). Moisture disrupts the breathability of the shell, causing the product to deteriorate very quickly.

It is correct to store eggs with the blunt end facing up.In this position, the internal structure is preserved, which extends the shelf life of the product. The best place to store quail eggs in the refrigerator is the bottom drawer for vegetables.

Prolonged exposure to direct sunlight causes the liquid contents to dry out.

Conclusion

Balanced composition of vitamins and microelements, nutritional value and rapid digestibility makes quail eggs an indispensable product for any table. However, the benefits of the product can be fully appreciated only if storage rules are followed.