How long is an unrefrigerated egg good to eat?

[silverback]

My understanding is that eggs will easily last a month or more - and the ones in the store can be at least that old. Once they are washed they don't last as long - so store- bought eggs that have been washed will spoil sooner and do require refrigeration. The "bloom" that a hen puts on each egg as she lays it provides a shield to bacteria and the eggs do not need to be refrigerated and will last a long time if the coating has not been washed away. And of course, the float test is always useful if you are in doubt.

S.

 

[duckinnut]

Quote:
Your right about store bought eggs,they are washed but then a thin coat of mineral oil is applied to them. Also refridgeration stops the fertilization process of an egg if your flock has a rooster. My little Italian grandmother always keep them out and I am still of the right side of the dirt.

 

[bawkbawkbawk]

I researched this once and found a Mother Earth News article about it - posted it on my blog at http://polloplayer.wordpress.com/2010/03/13/the-egg-and-i/

 

[StephanieD]

Quote:
I liked your article, thanks!

 

[bawkbawkbawk]

Thanks, Stephanie, glad you enjoyed it. It was a subject that interested me, so I spent quite a bit of time and research on it.

 

[Lee]

Yes, very informative article. However, I was thrown off by them incuding store bought eggs in their tests. No big deal though.
Quote:

 

[Tool]

Awesome. Thanks for this thread. The old saying is so true "you learn something new every day". But as for me I think I learn at least 10 new things a day. Especially the days I get on BYC....

 

[FarmKat]

Quote:
My feelings EXACTLY!!!

 

[flowerchild59]

Very interesting article, thanks for posting it.
I keep out a couple of eggs a day that are on the small side for my general cooking and eating. My egg customers get the big purdy ones.