Eggs, if left in the 'refrigerator door,' spoil easily...

What is the optimal storage location?

 

 

One of the 대표적인 high-protein foods is eggs. Therefore, many people consume eggs every morning for health reasons. However, they often buy eggs and store them near the refrigerator door. But this is not recommended for keeping eggs fresh for a long time. Let's learn about the proper way to store eggs.

 

It should be stored inside, not in the refrigerator door.

 

When storing eggs in the refrigerator, the placement inside the fridge is important. Many people store eggs in the refrigerator door, but keeping them inside the refrigerator helps maintain their freshness. The inside of the refrigerator door is farther from the cooler and is the area most exposed to outside air when opened, making it the warmest spot. Depending on the set temperature, but when set to the standard 3-4°C, the door area is known to rise to 6-9°C. However, eggs are sensitive to temperature. When the internal temperature rises, their quality deteriorates, and the likelihood of microbial growth, such as Salmonella and other foodborne pathogens, increases.

 

In fact, the National Institute of Animal Science under the Rural Development Administration stated that storing eggs at 17°C results in quality deterioration within 17 days, making them difficult to use for consumption. Conversely, storing at 5°C allows eggs to be kept for up to 106 days without significant loss of freshness. Additionally, when temperatures rise above 7-8°C, Salmonella bacteria can proliferate. Furthermore, frequent opening and closing of the door causes temperature fluctuations that also affect egg quality. When the door is opened and the temperature difference causes moisture to form on the shell, the eggs may be unable to breathe properly, leading to changes in the contents inside the shell.

It should be stored below the pointed part at around 0 to 4 degrees.

 

Therefore, when storing eggs, they should be kept in the inside of the refrigerator where there is no shaking, at a temperature of about 0 to 4 degrees Celsius.

It is better to place the pointed end of the egg, called the 'tip,' facing downward, and the rounded end, called the 'blunt end,' facing upward. Eggshells have between 7,000 and 17,000 pores, allowing air to pass in and out of the shell. These pores are especially numerous at the blunt end and are relatively fewer at the tip.

 

Meanwhile, there are times when eggshells are rinsed with water for hygiene purposes, but this can actually be more unsanitary.

 

On the outermost layer of the eggshell, there is a cuticle layer that protects the egg from external microorganisms. Washing with water can destroy this protective barrier, allowing bacteria and other contaminants to seep inside. The yolk and white inside the shell can also spoil more easily. If the eggshell surface is dirty, it is better to gently wipe it clean with a dry, clean cloth.