The number one egg question I'm asked is "Do I refrigerate them?" and the simple answer, for my eggs at least is...
If you want to.
Why would you want to?
Well, if you are used to keeping eggs in the fridge, then that's where you'll look for them!
Or perhaps you don't fly through eggs like my family of five, and you may want them to last a couple of months. Fresh (as in a few days old) eggs will last at least two months in the fridge.
Grocery store eggs must be refrigerated for a couple of reasons. For one, they have been washed with a disinfecting chemical that removes the outer layer known as the "bloom". The bloom is an invisible layer of protection that helps the egg stay fresher longer. Without the bloom, they will not last as long without refrigeration.
Also, store bought eggs are quite old. As in sometimes already a month old by the time they go to a warehouse, are loaded on a truck, and then set on the store shelves. Refrigeration gives them a longer shelf life.
My eggs come to you mostly unwashed. I do spot clean any that have dirty places on them with water and a paper towel, however they are never treated chemically, leaving the bloom mostly intact to protect the freshness.
Some folks recommended washing untreated eggs with water just prior to using, which you can certainly do. I don't wash mine before eating, but I do make sure they are thoroughly cooked. You would not want to wash them and then store them because the moisture will encourage bacterial growth.
And my final egg storage tip:
Bottoms up!
Eggs like to be stored with the big end up. There is an air pocket in the large end of the egg, and if it is stored "upside down" with the pointy end up, the air wants to travel upward. This can decrease shelf life.
So there's the ins and outs of keeping farm fresh eggs!
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