Why Do Americans Refrigerate Their Eggs? • Hacker News Board

Re: Why Do Americans Refrigerate Their Eggs?

#211

Post by mercer » Sun, Feb 19, 2017, 12:48 PM UTC

lostlogin wrote: post #128

empressplay wrote: post #125

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That's more than just a little gross.

I agree, but that's a little weird too given that both eggs and chicken are eaten regularly.

I find our weird attitudes to food endlessly fascinating. For example, I feel uncomfortable with what is considered food (or even a delicacy) in many countries outside of (Western) Europe and yet I'll have salted herring without any hesitation, which many expats here are uncomfortable doing.

I still need to try this 'lutefisk' thing though.

Edit: I meant 'surströmming'.

Re: Why Do Americans Refrigerate Their Eggs?

#212

Post by tiefenb » Sun, Feb 19, 2017, 12:51 PM UTC

In Austria (AUSTRIA -> EUROPE, NOT AUSTRALIA ;-] ) most of the eggs are chilled and people chill them also. I see very rarely some eggs not in the supermarket fridge and asked myself at this moment: how they prevent the eggs from decay

Re: Why Do Americans Refrigerate Their Eggs?

#213

Post by tiefenb » Sun, Feb 19, 2017, 12:53 PM UTC

the_mitsuhiko wrote: post #8

While 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.

mhm, only Hofer doesn't chill them. And sometimes Spar with eggs from local farmers.

Re: Why Do Americans Refrigerate Their Eggs?

#214

Post by Traubenfuchs » Sun, Feb 19, 2017, 1:02 PM UTC

tiefenb wrote: post #212

In Austria (AUSTRIA -> EUROPE, NOT AUSTRALIA ;-] ) most of the eggs are chilled and people chill them also. I see very rarely some eggs not in the supermarket fridge and asked myself at this moment: how they prevent the eggs from decay

I have never seen anyone NOT put them in the fridge. The same goes for my time in France and England. This article is "America vs the rest of the world" clickbait. At least the headline is clickbait. The part about washing and the "protective cuticle" was interesting.

Re: Why Do Americans Refrigerate Their Eggs?

#215

Post by pvaldes » Sun, Feb 19, 2017, 1:18 PM UTC

mirimir wrote: post #99

Jgrubb wrote: post #94

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Only if you have a rooster..

Well, right :) But some people prefer fertilized eggs. Some people prefer embryos in their eggs, too.

Yup, even taking this to the extreme.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balut_%28food%29

Re: Why Do Americans Refrigerate Their Eggs?

#216

Post by M_Grey » Sun, Feb 19, 2017, 1:22 PM UTC

Havoc wrote: post #203

M_Grey wrote: post #3

The 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.

>that cleaning does save some lives (and misery). Does it? I'd imagine if it really did the Europeans would switch to the refrigerated approach asap.

Europe has traditionally (as a whole) been a lot laxer with regulations. The upside is that they avoid a lot of red tape. The downside is... Thalidomide.

Re: Why Do Americans Refrigerate Their Eggs?

#217

Post by pmontra » Sun, Feb 19, 2017, 1:23 PM UTC

dsqrt wrote: post #91

tonfa wrote: post #41

Earlier quoted context omitted.

But they are not sold refrigerated, right? In the US they would.

They are usually sold refrigerated in Italy

Not where I buy them (COOP).

Re: Why Do Americans Refrigerate Their Eggs?

#218

Post by paublyrne » Sun, Feb 19, 2017, 1:43 PM UTC

roryisok wrote: post #153

desdiv wrote: post #58

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Isn't this covered in the article? >In Europe and Britain, the opposite is true. European Union regulations prohibit the washing of eggs. The idea is that preserving the protective cuticle is more important than washing the gunk off. UK eggs are unwashed, thus still have their protective cuticles and thus can last much longer unrefrigerated. GP's quote only applies to American eggs, which are washed.

I live in Ireland, in the EU, and I'm fairly sure all the eggs in supermarkets here are washed. There's never a spot of dirt on them. And we always refrigerate, as does everyone I know

I'm from Ireland and I don't refrigerate eggs. Growing up, eggs were always in the cupboard not the fridge.

I have no idea what the most common approach is. Eggs are not in the fridge at the supermarket, so why they would suddenly need to go in there once you get them home, I'm not sure.

Re: Why Do Americans Refrigerate Their Eggs?

#219

Post by Havoc » Sun, Feb 19, 2017, 1:55 PM UTC

M_Grey wrote: post #216

Havoc wrote: post #203

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>that cleaning does save some lives (and misery). Does it? I'd imagine if it really did the Europeans would switch to the refrigerated approach asap.

Europe has traditionally (as a whole) been a lot laxer with regulations. The upside is that they avoid a lot of red tape. The downside is... Thalidomide.

>Europe has traditionally (as a whole) been a lot laxer with regulations.

Quite the opposite. I mean they even tried to regulate how bent bananas could be. Commission Regulation (EC) No. 2257/94

Re: Why Do Americans Refrigerate Their Eggs?

#220

Post by dfc » Sun, Feb 19, 2017, 1:55 PM UTC

msisk6 wrote: post #124

pavel_lishin wrote: post #88

Earlier quoted context omitted.

My parents considered it, but heard that they attract snakes. Also, what do you do with the eggs you don't eat?

We have about 25 chickens right now and we just picked up another 18 chicks today. Our's free range on our land and they're fantastic at keeping bugs down. We've had some problems with snakes, but we're in the country outside Austin, TX and snakes are just a way of life out here. We even had to remove a rattlesnake from inside the house a few weeks back. Skunks are a big problem this year -- lots of them out and abou…

You can buy free range organic eggs at Whole Foods for less than $5 a dozen.