Handling & Preserving Eggs Long-Term:
As a new chicken owner (since May 2023), I recently discovered that I cannot eat all of the eggs my chickens are laying, even after those I sell or give away. Hence this post on preserving eggs long term. Even if you're not a chicken owner, sometimes it's good to buy [anything] in bulk to delay paying increased food prices. So, here goes with some ideas to preserve eggs up to a year. I will update this posting as I find new resources:
Egg Safety Tips:
Always rinse eggs before use, under fresh/clear warm running water, to remove any potential bacteria.
Don't soak eggs except to hard boil.
Wash hands, with soap and warm water, after handling any eggs.
Washed (commercial) vs Unwashed Eggs: Chickens lay eggs with a nearly invisible natural coating, called the "bloom" or sometimes the "cuticle", on the shell that is applied as the last step in the laying process. This coating is the first line of defense in keeping air and bacteria out of the egg. Since eggshells are porous, that natural barrier is removed if the eggs are washed as soon as they are collected. The bloom helps to keep bacteria from entering into the egg white through the shell. It also helps to keep the egg fresher longer by restricting the movement of air through the pores in the eggshell. Generally, eggs should not be washed until they are ready to be used/eaten. Mildly "dirty" [unwashed] eggs can be wiped with a dry paper/cloth towel. Unwashed eggs will last much longer (2-4 weeks @ room temperature or 3-6 months when refrigerated) than washed/rinsed eggs.
Washed eggs should be refrigerated promptly. Store-bought eggs have been cleaned and the "bloom" has been removed, so they always need refrigeration after purchasing them.
Freeze Dried: My favorite breakfast always includes eggs but, in a camping (or bug-out) situation, they can be heavy, space-consuming and create a potentially messy situation. Several commercial freeze-dried options are available but are costly (my best were Mountain House and OvaEasy). While a bit time-consuming, DIY Freeze-Dried Eggs can be a cheaper alternative.
Freezing Raw: Eggs should not be frozen in the shell, but can be out of the shell. Crack a single raw egg into each slot of an ice cube (or muffin tin) tray. Pre-scramble it or leave as is depending on your future use. Freeze in the tray, then pop out and put each egg in a zip-lock bag to keep frozen and free up the ice cube tray for another purpose. OR, just break an egg (or eggs) directly into the zip-lock bag then freeze. To use, simply leave each frozen egg sitting at room temp in a bowl to defrost. Freeze for up to 3 months or as long as 1 year. Reference Link 1 Reference Link 2
Lime Water Raw: Raw eggs, stored in glass jars filled with Lime (calcium hydroxide) Water, can last up to 2 years, stored at room temperature. This method of preserving raw eggs has been used since the 1800s and was common even into the 1940s and 50s.
The ratio is one ounce (by weight) of lime to one quart of water. Calcium hydroxide is a completely natural, organic ingredient and harmless, although the powder is very fine and may irritate your lungs if you breathe it in. The lime water will also quickly dry out skin so hand lotion may be necessary to get skin back to normal. When you're ready to use the eggs, be sure to rinse them thoroughly before you crack them or they will taste like lime. A gallon size glass container will store about 40 eggs.
Freezing Cooked: Freezing cooked eggs can be more difficult. The texture and quality of eggs can suffer if you're not careful. The best way to freeze cooked eggs is by folding them into other ingredients (recipes) that will hold up well in cold temps; the moisture from the ice formed when freezing certain egg dishes can actually help the eggs taste better when they're reheated. Reference Link
Hard Boiled: Hard-boiled eggs, placed in vinegar/brine, can be preserved up to 3 months, if closed in an airtight "canning" jar, preferably made of glass or ceramic, not in metal. Refrigerated hard boiled eggs, still in the shell, will last about 1 week; unpeeled, about 3 days. Peeled or unpeeled, they will last only two hours at room temperature. [Reference 1] [Reference 2] Fresh/Raw: Straight from the chicken or other bird (not the store), fresh eggs, unwashed and in the shell, can be preserved much longer than any other preservation method. Fresh, unwashed eggs will have a room temperature shelf-life of about 2 to 4 weeks while refrigerated eggs will last 3 to 6 months. Eggs that are preserved with a mineral oil coating can last from 6 months to 1 year. Eggs preserved with the water glassing method (pickling lime water) can last 1 to 2 years. [Reference 4] [Reference 5] [Reference 6]
Related Links: Egg Float Test to Determine Freshness for Consumption Preserve Fresh Eggs Without Refrigeration Ways to Preserve Eggs (Safely) Methods to Preserve Washed and Unwashed Eggs Long Term Cook a Raw Egg in its Shell in Campfire Ashes About Eggs and Quiet Chickens Benefits and Tips for Raising Chickens: My Adventure Does Egg Shell Color Affect Taste or Nutritional Value? Building an Emergency Food Supply Preserving Foods: Can, Dehydrate, Salt, Smoke, Age & Cure
Author's Reference Link
[11-Cs Basic Emergency Kit] [14-Point Emergency Preps Checklist] [Immediate Steps to Take When Disaster Strikes] [Learn to be More Self-Sufficient] [The Ultimate Preparation] [P4T Main Index]
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