Boiled eggs are popular all over the world; without this product it is difficult to imagine a complete breakfast.
They are a source of vitamins and microelements and can be included in the diet of people of all ages.
However, only fresh eggs can be beneficial, but spoiled ones are a source of dangerous bacteria that can cause poisoning.
Read the article about how long boiled eggs last and how to increase their shelf life.
Content
Shelf life in days
The shelf life directly depends on the conditions in which the product is kept. The lower the temperature, the longer it will stay fresh, but this does not mean that the eggs cannot be left out of the refrigerator for a while.
How long does it last in the refrigerator?
If you put eggs in the refrigerator immediately after cooking and drying, they will not spoil for almost 3 weeks. However, eating them 20 days after cooking, even when at a stable temperature of +1...+3 degrees, is dangerous.
Read how long boiled eggs last here, without shell - Here.
In the freezer
It is not recommended to freeze either boiled or raw eggs.
After exposure to low temperatures, the product loses its taste, amino acids and trace elements are destroyed.
Therefore, they are placed in the freezer as an exception, and only the yolk can be stored in this way. If completely frozen, its shelf life reaches up to a year.
At room temperature, warm
Under such conditions, the product can be stored for no more than three days. This is only possible if the shell of the product remains intact. If it is cracked or has been cleaned, the shelf life is reduced to 12 hours.
Details - in this article.
How long can eggs be stored depending on the cooking method?
The cooking method directly affects the shelf life of the product. The longer the heat treatment lasts, the longer it will remain fresh. For the egg to be soft-boiled, 3-5 minutes of boiling is enough.
If the yolk remains liquid, then it will not be stored for a long time, even if it is in the refrigerator. Such eggs should be eaten on the first day of preparation; only if they are quickly cooled, they can remain edible for about two days. This rule applies to poached meat.
In order for the yolk to be completely cooked, the egg must be in boiling water for about 10 minutes, and on the stove for a total of about 15 minutes. If these conditions are met, it will remain fresh in the refrigerator for 20 days, and at room temperature - up to 2 days.
Broken shell integrity reduces these periods to 4 days for the refrigerator and up to 12 hours for storage at temperatures above +15 degrees. If the egg has been peeled and placed in the refrigerator in a container, it will be stored for no more than 12 hours.
When hard boiled, not only the structure of the egg changes, but also its taste. However, only in this way can pathogenic microorganisms be completely destroyed, the most dangerous of which is salmonella.
A common misconception is that Easter eggs stay fresh longer. In fact, processing with natural dyes reduces their shelf life if refrigerated, up to 2 weeks. If chemicals were used to add color, it takes 2-3 days.
Features for egg products of different birds
The above rules apply to chicken eggs. As for goose, their shelf life is shorter, since their shell has a more porous structure, through which harmful microorganisms penetrate faster.
The storage period for raw goose eggs in the refrigerator should not exceed 12 days. For a boiled product, this period is reduced to 12 hours.
Quail eggs can be stored in the refrigerator for no more than a week after cooking.. They will remain fresh for a month if they are not subjected to heat treatment.
He will tell you about the shelf life of boiled quail eggs this article.
How to keep the product fresh longer?
There are several ways to extend the shelf life of boiled eggs. The main condition is to purchase an initially fresh product. It is necessary that no more than a week has passed since its production.
All the ways to prolong freshness eggs after boiling:
- If you plan to store them for a long time, then clean eggs with intact shells should be selected.
- If the shell cracks during the cooking process, you will have to abandon long-term storage of the product.
- Before you put the egg in cold water, you need to warm it up by keeping it at room temperature for some time. If you take it out of the refrigerator and immediately put it in water, it will definitely burst.
- After cooking is completed, the eggs need to be removed, cooled and laid out on a towel. When they are dry, they are carefully transferred to a suitable container. Do not use brute force or throw them to avoid damaging the fragile shell.
- If eggs are stored in an open container, such as a plate, then other foods should not be placed on top of them.
- They should be placed at the back wall of the refrigerator. There the temperature is lower, and warm air currents will not reach the container. Frequent changes adversely affect the freshness of the product.
- A plastic bag is not the best place for storage. If you don't have a suitable container, it's better to use a paper bag.
Signs of damage
If the product begins to deteriorate, this will manifest itself with characteristic signs:
- Smell. It becomes harsh, unpleasant, with a sour or putrid aroma.
- Protein color change. Deterioration processes cause it to turn blue or grayish.
- Mold. It can be seen in places where the shell has been damaged; it appears even through small cracks.
- Changing the shape of the yolk. It becomes vague, loses its elasticity, and spreads even after full cooking.
Raw, stale eggs will float to the surface if you put them in a glass of water. The fresh product remains at the bottom.
Helpful information
Storage tips boiled eggs:
- If the shell does burst during the cooking process, then such eggs should be eaten first.
- It is best to use food-grade plastic containers with an airtight lid to store the product. This will not only extend the shelf life, but also avoid the spread of a specific odor throughout the refrigerator.
- Moisture promotes the growth of microbes, so boiled eggs should be dried with a napkin or paper towel.
- If boiled eggs often need to be stored for a long time, it is better to purchase a separate container for them.
Conclusion
Chicken and other eggs have a certain shelf life, which should not be violated. Moreover, even at home there are many ways to extend it.