Are you in the middle of your baking adventures and wondering if your frozen egg white can be used? Or are you curious if egg white can be used for a long time? Well, you have found just the perfect article.
The good news is that egg whites can be used for about 4 to 7 days, depending on how they are stored. However, egg whites do come with an expiry date!
In this article, we will discuss in detail how to store various egg whites. We have also enlisted a thorough guideline to help you analyze if the egg white is spoilt or fit for consumption.
How Long Does Egg White Last
An egg is a high-protein food item that should be consumed before its expiration date. Hence, if you purchase eggs from the store, they have an expiry date printed on them. The time duration may vary depending on how you store it and the form in which you plan to store them.
Raw eggs can stay in the fridge if the expiration date is not tampered with and opened.
Hard Boiled Eggs that have their shell on can be kept in the fridge for about 7 days as long as the shell is intact.
A peeled, hard-boiled egg can be stored in the fridge for about 4 days. It is not advisable to store peeled egg whites for a long time since different aromas will influence them in the fridge.
Raw beaten egg whites can be stored in the fridge for about 4-5 days if stored in tightly sealed bags or air-tight containers.
Under any condition, eggs, once opened, should not be stored at room temperature.
How Long Does Egg White Last In The Freezer
Egg whites, in their solid or liquid form, are ideal for freezing. One can freeze them for almost a year without any signs of spoilage. Once thawed, these whites cannot be frozen again; storing them in small potions is best to facilitate easy handling.
Author Note: While thawing the egg white, do not keep it on the kitchen counter. It is best to thaw it in the fridge to reduce the chances of contamination.
How to Know if Egg White has Gone Bad
It is relatively easy to determine whether the egg is consumable since a spoilt egg white will have telltale signs of spoilage. Once you notice any of the signs mentioned below, avoid consuming egg white, as it can be seriously detrimental to your health.
Color
Egg whites that are freshly cracked have a transparent color with a tinge of white. They are free from shells or lumps and have a thin flowy consistency. If you notice any lumps or blood streaks in the egg white, it may be because the eggs are expired or old.
Furthermore, suppose the egg white was not stored ideally. In that case, it may have formed a breeding ground for bacteria that accelerated the spoilage and altered the overall appearance and texture of the egg white.
Smell
We all know what a rotten egg smells like. The smell is almost pungent and impossible to tolerate. If the egg whites are expired, you can identify it with the peculiar sulphuric stench released from rotten eggs.
Hence, if you notice any random smells and odors when you open your egg whites, it is safe to bin them without further consideration.
Texture
The texture of a freshly cracked egg white will be liquidy but dense due to all the proteins present in it. The egg white becomes more liquid and flowy as the egg gets old.
A straightforward float test can help you identify fresh eggs from old ones. It will help you determine whether the egg white is safe for use.
In this test, you dip the egg in cold water. If it floats, it indicates that the egg white is not dense; hence, it is old. Likewise, if the egg sinks at the bottom, it signifies fresh eggs and, thus, fresh egg whites.
Taste
I would not recommend tasting raw liquid egg whites because there are chances that they may be infected. Hence, once cooked, you can taste and check. If the taste is slightly altered or challenging to swallow, avoid consuming it.
Mold
Since egg whites are a blast of nutrition, they are the ideal source for the proliferation and multiplication of microbes. Molds can colonize, forming green, black, or cream hues on egg whites. It is reasonably easy to spot them since the egg white is transparent.
Do not consume or use it in your recipes if you notice it. Discard them without attempting to revive them.
Tips to Store Egg Whites
Here are five tips that can help you extend the shelf life of your egg whites.
1. Do not peel the egg if you want to store them for a while
2. Lightly beat the egg white and divide them into more minor potions to ensure they can be adequately frozen.
3. Do not store them at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
4. Always store egg whites in air-tight containers or sealed bags to avoid interacting with moisture and air.
5. Thaw frozen eggs in the fridge to avoid bacterial overload.
Frequently Asked Questions About Egg White Going Bad and Storing It
In this section, we will discuss some commonly asked questions.
How To Store Liquid Egg White on the Countertop
Answer: It is not a good idea to store fragile food items like egg whites on the countertop for a long time if you do not intend to use them within an hour. However, if you plan to keep it on the kitchen counter, ensure you keep them sealed in an air-tight container that will limit its interaction with insects, microbes, and other contaminants in the air.
Can eating expired egg whites show symptoms of Salmonella Poisoning?
Answer: Salmonella is one of the most notorious bacteria that can flourish on eggs. Hence, eating bad or expired eggs can result in Salmonella Poisoning. Symptoms of Salmonella poisoning include diarrhea, fever, stomach ache, cramps, etc.
How long do hard-boiled eggs last in the fridge
Answer: Egg, once boiled, is rid of all harmful contaminants and bacteria that once resided on them; hence, it is safe to be stored in the fridge. Unpeeled boiled eggs can last for about 7 days; however, once peeled, try to consume it as quickly as possible as it can absorb random flavors and odors from other food items present in the fridge.
Takeaway
Egg whites can remain fresh for a week if stored in air-tight bags and containers at low temperatures. Furthermore, unpeeled eggs can last for 7 days without showing any signs of spoilage. If the intention of to freeze them, they will last for a year.
If the egg white is spoilt, you will notice a sulphuric stench that will indicate its way past its consumption date.
I hope you found this article helpful. If you have any other queries regarding egg whites and their storage, let us know in the comments below.
