My Italian cousins store eggs on the counter.
Here’s what experts say about why eggs are refrigerated in the U.S., but not in some countries.
It turns out it all depends on what happens to the eggs after they pop out of the chicken.
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Here’s what I learned from the experts.
Then, the eggshells can become contaminated after they are laid if they touch the hens droppings.
Other countries, including Canada and Japan, soon started doing the same.
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So Which Way Is Better?
A study published in 2018 in the journalPoultry Sciencecompared common methods of storing eggs.
The cartonprotects them from breakingand from absorbing odors from other food in your fridge.
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It also has the best by date to help you keep track of freshness.
Theres no need to wash eggs again.
Washing them could let dirty water seep into the pores of the egg.
And if youre making a recipe that calls for eggs to be at room temperature?
Never leave them out for more thantwo hours, advises the USDA.
Washed eggs should be refrigerated as soon as you get home.
Rulesvary by stateabout whether small producers must wash their eggs.
Some producers advise leaving unwashed eggs out of the refrigerator.
Some markets may require egg washing and then a label.
We recommend refrigerating eggs promptly at 40F as soon as you get home, says Batarseh Havern.
You may want to bring a cooler with you to the farmers market.
For the best quality, use within three weeks of purchase.
