Is washing eggs a good idea? It’s true that when you buy eggs at the supermarket, you sometimes come across eggs with dirty shells . And then you want to wash them to remove traces of dirt.
Well, you should never wash eggs according to a chicken farmer who lives near me. It may surprise you to hear this, but he explained everything to me. And I completely understood the reasons why you should avoid washing eggs before storing or eating them. Here are some of the answers.
Washing eggs: a big mistake to avoid!
When you buy eggs, you may see some dirt on the shells. Feathers or droppings, some eggshells are very dirty. As a result, one wonders whether this dirt will transfer to the dish you are preparing with eggs. At that point, the first thing to do is wash them with soap and water . However, cleaning eggs is a big mistake that can cause serious effects. In fact, if you wash your eggs, you can contaminate them.
Eggshell: a natural protective layer
You might think that washing eggs removes all traces of dirt and bacteria, but that’s not the case at all. Conversely, if the eggs go underwater, you will contaminate them. And for good reason, egg shells are porous and made up of tiny holes invisible to the naked eye. As a result, any dirt on the shell will find its way into these holes.
But the eggs are covered with a thin natural layer that prevents contamination. Called the cuticle, this imperceptible film prevents dirt from penetrating the egg.
Why should you never wash eggs?
Do you have any idea what happens when you wash eggshells in water? You remove the protective layer found on the shells and invite any kind of contamination. First, bacteria enter the egg and you risk contracting salmonellosis. This is why you should never wash the shell with water.
Consequently, the best thing to do is to clean the dirt with a clean cloth by rubbing it gently without passing the eggs under running water.