Why Do Americans Refrigerate Their Eggs?
nytimes.com
Why Do Americans Refrigerate Their Eggs?
1–10 of 275 posts
Re: Why Do Americans Refrigerate Their Eggs?
#2Ah ha! I had always wondered why we'd buy a crate of 24 eggs at Carrefour in France when I lived there for two years, just off the grocery floor. I didn't feel bad not refrigerating them there, but of course must do so again now. Satisfying answer.
Re: Why Do Americans Refrigerate Their Eggs?
#3The thing is, salmonella is most prevalent on the outside of the shell, and that cleaning does save some lives (and misery). Meanwhile you can let your egg come to room temp if you prefer, before use. Finally, if you really want fresh eggs, you can raise them or hook up with a local farmer. Even in a big city, you can raise chickens for eggs.
Re: Why Do Americans Refrigerate Their Eggs?
#4Would it be possible to sterilize the eggs without destroying the cuticle? Like with heat, radiation, or ultraviolet light?
Re: Why Do Americans Refrigerate Their Eggs?
#5Not explicitly mentioned, but is linked from the article:
In Europe, the understanding is that this mandate actually encourages good husbandry on farms. It’s in the farmers’ best interests then to produce to cleanest eggs possible, as no one is going to buy their eggs if they’re dirty [1]
So in Europe, you need a clean environment as you're not allowed to wash the eggs. I find this equally compelling than not wanting to wash the protective cuticle off that protects against bacteria.
[1] http://www.forbes.com/sites/nadiaarumugam/2012/10/25/why-ame...
Re: Why Do Americans Refrigerate Their Eggs?
#6Would it be possible to sterilize the eggs without destroying the cuticle? Like with heat, radiation, or ultraviolet light?
I think it is done with UV light here in Europe.
Re: Why Do Americans Refrigerate Their Eggs?
#7Because it gets 100+ degrees in the summer?
Re: Why Do Americans Refrigerate Their Eggs?
#8While the rules on eggs are the same the culture is not. In Austria most stores sell eggs refrigerated where as in the UK they so not.
Re: Why Do Americans Refrigerate Their Eggs?
#9Not explicitly mentioned, but is linked from the article: In Europe, the understanding is that this mandate actually encourages good husbandry on farms. It’s in the farmers’ best interests then to produce to cleanest eggs possible, as no one is going to buy their eggs if they’re dirty [1] So in Europe, you need a clean environment as you're not allowed to wash the eggs. I find this equally compelling than not wanting…
Another important point is that, as the OP mentions briefly, eggs are porous. Potentially, if there's some horrible bacteria, it could have already seeped into the egg and washing won't help so much. So you want the egg clean anyway.
Re: Why Do Americans Refrigerate Their Eggs?
#10Would it be possible to sterilize the eggs without destroying the cuticle? Like with heat, radiation, or ultraviolet light?
Unless after sterilization you would also seal them in plastic or something, they will become "non-sterile" again.
Pasteurized milk is sealed.