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The very best strategies for preserving and storing contemporary eggs within the fridge or freezer to be used a number of weeks, months, or perhaps a yr later.
Spring and summer time are the instances of yr when yard hens are usually at their peak egg manufacturing.
Issues begin to decelerate within the autumn months to the purpose the place the ladies normally cease laying, molting and resting for a mean of three months.
You’ll be able to preserve them laying yr spherical by placing a 24/7 gentle of their coop. Nevertheless, I don’t do that as a result of it’s extremely unnatural and merciless. It additionally shortens their lifespan tremendously.
Thus, when chickens are at their peak productiveness, you could discover an overabundance of eggs which you can’t dissipate straight away.
We have now a apply of giving eggs away to neighbors and mates who would get pleasure from them. Nevertheless, we’re lucky to nonetheless have loads to retailer to be used when egg manufacturing is low.
I assumed I’d share with you my three primary strategies for preserving eggs whether or not you’ve the posh of your individual little flock or purchase on the farmer’s market and well being meals retailer.
Refrigerate
Preservation timeframe: as much as 3 months
Recent eggs have a protecting layer referred to as a bloom or cuticle on the surface of the shell.
This translucent coating very successfully seals off the pores of the shell.
This pure safety prevents micro organism from getting inside. It additionally reduces moisture loss, which preserves freshness.
These traits enable for secure storage on the counter with out refrigeration.
This pure safety additionally implies that in case you have contemporary eggs that should be preserved longer than every week or two, you may merely put them in a bowl and refrigerate.
No washing is critical if they’re clear with none particles proper out of the coop.
Notice that industrial eggs don’t have this protecting cuticle.
Sadly, manufacturing unit processing washes it away with poisonous options earlier than packaging. Even natural eggs are uncovered to a chemicalized tub as chlorine is permitted to be used by USDA requirements.
This is the reason industrial eggs don’t final months within the fridge like contemporary eggs do.
Wash, Seal and Refrigerate
Preservation Timeframe: as much as 3 months
Often, eggs can have dust or particles on them popping out of the coop.
That is generally as a result of hens getting mud on their toes throughout moist climate. One other trigger is a delay in freshening up the coop bedding which might enhance manure publicity.
On this scenario, the eggs must be washed in gentle cleaning soap and heat water.
Sadly, the need of cleansing them additionally removes the protecting bloom.
The excellent news is that there’s a approach to compensate.
After washing and drying, merely coat every egg with a small quantity of additional virgin olive oil. Then, wipe away the surplus with a clear cotton towel.
The oil will seal the shell’s pores in a fashion much like the protecting cuticle. These sealed eggs will final within the fridge for across the identical size of time as refrigerated contemporary eggs that also have the bloom on them.
You too can use this technique for eggs you buy which have already been washed.
I recommend re-washing your self with gentle cleaning soap and filtered water earlier than making use of the protecting oil coating. This prevents sealing within the chemical substances the eggs have been uncovered to in the course of the mandated cleansing on the manufacturing unit.
Tips on how to Freeze Recent Eggs
Preservation Timeframe: 3 months – 1 yr
Most individuals don’t notice which you can freeze contemporary eggs with the shell!
Some web sites recommend cracking the eggs, mixing the yolk and white collectively, after which freezing particular person eggs in ice dice trays.
That’s a whole lot of pointless work!
Why would you ever take away the shell, one of the best safety for the edible portion there’s?
If in case you have contemporary eggs with the bloom intact, all you must do is put them in a heavy-duty bag and place them within the freezer.
That. Is. It.
If in case you have farmer’s market eggs or eggs out of your yard flock which might be washed, then seal with a movie of EVOO as described above after which freeze.
The shell might or might not crack within the freezer. It doesn’t matter both means.
Surprisingly, the within of the egg freezes earlier than the shell cracks!
Thawing a Frozen Egg
When it’s good to use a frozen egg from the freezer, merely take away the shell first after letting the egg sit on the counter for a couple of minutes.
If the frozen egg already has a giant crack, peeling the shell is a bit simpler.
You should have an intact egg white and yolk that’s nonetheless frozen after eradicating the shell as you may see from the above image.
Place peeled frozen eggs with out the shell in a bowl and depart within the fridge for a number of hours.
As soon as thawed, they are going to be in the very same state as earlier than freezing and able to use in your common recipes similar to you cracked them contemporary!
