Eggs are an indispensable product in any diet and on any table. Their popularity is due to the dietary composition, nutritional value and fast absorption.
They contain a complete, and most importantly - balanced, complex of vitamins necessary for a person.
It is important to store this product so that it retains maximum benefit. We will talk about the rules of egg storage in this article.
For home use
Eggs occupy a special niche in our food basket. With their help, the supply of protein necessary for growth and proper cell structure is replenished. The content of vitamin D eggs are inferior only to fish fat. They contain such macro-and microelements as calcium, phosphorus, iodine, iron, copper, cobalt, potassium, magnesium, sulfur, boron, manganese and other mineral substances, as well as are rich in essential amino acids for the human body.
Chicken eggs can not only benefit the body, but also diversify our diet, which is why it is important to know the rules for their storage. After all with improper storage and use of eggs are mortal danger.
General rules
How to store eggs?
To increase the shelf life indicated in GOST, eggs for home use should be stored in a container - its walls will not pass moisture and light, will protect from penetration of smells.
What else are recommendations for storage without a refrigerator?
- Keep in a dry and cool place.
- Put the sharp end down.
- In the presence of cracks and chips immediately use.
- When storing without a refrigerator, you need to turn on the fan and direct the cold stream of air to the eggs.
Shelf life can also extend the vegetable oil and oats. The bottom of the box must be covered with oats, put eggs (pre-lubricate them with oil or any other fat). Store in a dry and dark place.
Terms and Conditions
Store freshly harvested eggs should be at a temperature not higher than 12 degrees. In terms of storage of chicken eggs outside the refrigerator, they will be suitable for use in food for 2-3 weeks, and in the refrigerator this period increases to 3 months (the temperature is not higher than 2 degrees). Shelf life does not depend on the time of year.
At a temperature of 10 to 20 ° C, and a relative humidity of 80-90%, according to GOST, shelf life varies:
- for diet - no more than a week;
- for dining rooms - from 7 to 30 days;
Attention! Wash eggs can be stored no more than 8 days.
In a refrigerator
How to store chicken eggs in the refrigerator? Eggs are perishable, so it needs cold, but not frost. Store eggs in the refrigerator should be in the pod or on the first shelf (from the freezer).
It is a mistake to think that eggs should be stored in a specially designed compartment on the door. In this place, when opening the door, the eggs are exposed to frequent exposure to warm air, which does not bring any benefit.
For the storage of eggs in the refrigerator should be used heatsinks made of paper or foam. A metal stand or a plastic container will do, but then the eggs should be removed away from extreme cold.
In the containers of eggs put a sharp end down. They should not be washed before that.
Watch the video on how to store eggs in the refrigerator:
For incubation
Without prejudice to their quality, hatching eggs can be stored for 5-6 days under appropriate conditions.
The optimum temperature for egg storage is + 8-12 ° Сat a relative humidity of 75-80%. Such conditions are created in the egg warehouse - in a special room for storing eggs. Good ventilation is important, but there should be no drafts.
The position of eggs during storage is also very important - they should be laid up with a blunt end up. If the eggs are stored for more than 5 days, especially in a horizontal position, they should be rotated once a day by 90 °.
In the table below you can see how the shelf life of eggs affects the hatching of young stock:
The shelf life of eggs (day) | The percentage of young animals to the number of fertilized eggs | ||
chickens | ducklings | goslings | |
5 | 91,6 | 85,7 | 79,8 |
10 | 82,5 | 80,0 | 72,7 |
15 | 70,3 | 73,5 | 53,7 |
20 | 23,5 | 47,2 | 32,5 |
25 | 15,0 | 6,0 |
How to store eggs for incubation, it is written in more detail here.
Video about storing hatching eggs:
Chickens are not the only poultry whose chicks can be bred independently in the conditions of a country house or a farm. We offer to your attention a series of interesting materials about the incubation of turkey eggs, peacocks, turkeys, guinea fowls, pheasants, geese, ducks, ostriches, quails, musk ducks.
Storage of eggs on an industrial scale
As mentioned above, eggs are a product with a relatively short shelf life. In the conditions of the modern market it is simply necessary to increase this period.
On an industrial scale, the following methods are used for this.:
- storage at low temperatures and in a cooled state;
- in lime mortar;
- in thin synthetic films;
- using a coating of special oils.
All of these methods require compliance with certain conditions.:
- Low humidity.
- High-quality ventilation.
- Constant air temperature from 8 to 10 degrees.
- Temperature control (sharp fluctuations resulting in condensation are not allowed).
The most common way to ensure such conditions is the use of cold rooms.
How to store eggs in cold stores:
- Pack in cartons or wooden cases.
- Cool in a special chamber gradually reducing the temperature.
- After that, you can store for storage at a temperature of minus 1-2 degrees and humidity 75-80 percent.
Under conditions of industrial chicken rearing, eggs are usually subjected to ovoscopic procedures. What it is and why you need it, read this article.
Conclusion
Proper storage of the product is a prerequisite for preserving its quality. If you suspect an egg is better not to use. For incubation, it is important to pick only fresh eggs of medium size. Be sure to take into account the figures GOST.
Compliance with the rules and conditions of storage is an important point not only for eggs. On our site you will find a lot of useful information about how to store a variety of products. Read all about the storage of carrots, autumn, winter and summer varieties of apples, as well as sweet peppers, beets.