How to Tell If Hard-Boiled Eggs Are Still Good
Hard-boiled eggs make an enjoyable snack, but delight will turn to disgust if you eat a rotten egg by mistake. There are several different ways to test whether a hard-boiled egg is safe to eat. These methods will give you a good indication of whether the egg should be consumed or discarded. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Consider how long the eggs have been hard-boiled. A hard-boiled egg that has been kept in its shell will last up to two weeks, while a hard-boiled egg that has already been peeled will only last one week.
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Determine how the eggs have been stored. Hard-boiled eggs should be refrigerated within two hours of being boiled. This will help to preserve freshness. If the eggs have not been refrigerated, they can spoil in as quickly as a few days. The yolk of a hard-boiled egg can also be frozen, which will keep it fresh for up to three months.
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Place the hard-boiled egg in a bowl of cold water. If the egg stays on the bottom of the bowl, it's safe to eat. If the egg floats to the surface, that means it's rotten and should be discarded. If the egg does a combination of both, it means that the egg is still safe to eat, but will spoil soon.
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Inspect the egg for any odd coloring or smells. If the whites of the egg are gray, green or purple, do not eat it. Hard-boiled eggs will also have a very distinct smell when they've gone bad, which many people compare to flatulence. If your egg smells like this, don't eat it.
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References
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