Check if eggs are fresh

Fresh eggs are full to the brim with yolk and white, but the shell is porous to allow the developing chick to breathe. Over time air leaks through the protective coating and a bubble starts to form. For a sure-fire way to tell if your eggs are fresh, simply put them in a bowl of water and see if they sink or swim.

The freshest eggs are best for frying or poaching because the yolk is round and the white is thick. These should sink to the bottom of the bowl and lie down horizontally on their side. Slightly older eggs are better for hard boiling because the white is thinner and they are easier to peel. These eggs will tip up on their edge, sitting upright in the water but not quite floating. The oldest eggs will rise to the top of the water. These are best thrown away as they are not really fit to eat.

“Egg shells are porous to allow developing chicks to breathe”