We’ve always wondered…

But what causes that discoloration, and is the egg still okay to eat?

What Causes a Green Ring Around the Yolk?

Closeup of hardboiled eggs cut in half

Simply Recipes / Getty Images

This reaction produces ferrous sulfide, a compound with a greenish-gray color.

The ring appears where the yolk and white meet.

This reaction tends to happen when the eggs arent very fresh or if they are cooked too long.

Hard-boiled eggs sliced in half and placed in a blue plate

Simply Recipes / Emma Christensen

It’s just a sign of prolonged heat exposure or older eggs.

While it may affect the eggs appearance, it does not indicate the egg is unsafe to eat.

Does the Green Ring Affect Taste or Texture?

However, a green ring is mostly a visual issue, not something that significantly affects flavor or texture.

Kazaks says to start with fresh eggs, if you might find them.

They have a higher pH, which lowers the production of hydrogen sulfide gas.

After, place the cooked eggs in an ice bath to stop any further cooking and chemical reactions.

However, it requires some careful timing, Kazaks says.

Whichever way you decide, Kazaks offers a tip to makepeeling eggs easier.

After cooling, gently tap the egg on a hard surface to crack the shell.