Drop an egg into cold water: sinks flat = fresh, stands upright = use soon, floats = toss it.
\n\n## How to do it
- Fill a glass or bowl with cold water.
- Gently place the egg in.
- Read the result:
- Lies flat on the bottom β fresh β
- Stands upright on the bottom β older but still okay β use soon and cook thoroughly
- Floats to the top β no longer fresh, better to discard β
Why it works
Eggshells are porous. Over time, moisture escapes and air seeps in β the air pocket inside the egg keeps growing. The more air inside, the more the egg floats.
Good to know
- An egg that stands upright is actually perfect for hard-boiling β it peels much more easily afterwards.
- When in doubt, crack it open and smell it: if it smells off β toss it.
- This test only works with raw eggs.