4 ms·
Yes. In the US eggs are washed with soap and hot water after being laid. Most of the rest of the world doesn't do that. We simply arrange things so eggs don't l
by wongarsu 2y ago
Yes. In the US eggs are washed with soap and hot water after being laid. Most of the rest of the world doesn't do that. We simply arrange things so eggs don't lie in poop, then deliver them to the customer unwashed.
Both methods work, but the washing process removes a protective layer from the eggs, causing them to require refrigeration and generally last not as long
- ars 2y agoUS eggs last exactly the same amount of time, and they do not actually require refrigeration, it's basically a custom at this point that customers expect.
- rsynnott 2y agoOnce the egg has been refrigerated (which it will be in shipping and in the supermarket) breaking the cold chain is, at best, risky; you'll potentially get condensation which can lead to contamination.
- ars 2y agoI'm not just theorizing here, I've actually done it. Multiple times, as in, every day. I don't refrigerate my US eggs, I've been doing that for years, with zero problems.
- arjie 2y agoThis is so fascinating. I believe you, but I am one month from a newborn so I can't perform the experiment. It's like how for years on end I'd read explanations on Hacker News for why Japan's traffic lights were blue instead of green and I went there and they were identical to US lights. So I'm sceptical of these folk explanations that always go around. One day, years from now, I shall test it myself.