Why Russians And Americans Keep Eggs In The Refrigerator, But Europeans Don't: Who Is Right

2024 Author: Bailey Albertson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 12:53

Why Russians and Americans keep their eggs in the refrigerator, but Europeans don't

Chicken eggs are a popular and beloved product by many, but not everyone thinks about its proper storage. There are tons of questions about eggs, in particular whether they need to be refrigerated and whether temperature affects quality. The study of information forces one to face two opposite opinions: in Europe, eggs are preferred to be stored in kitchen boxes, and in America and Russia - in the refrigerator. Let's find out where such differences come from and how to do it right.

Features of egg storage in the USA, Russia and Europe

The main problem with eggs is salmonella. The bacterium is carried by chickens, excreted in their feces. If infected faeces get on the eggshell, then the pathogen settles on it, trying to get inside. Usually he succeeds within 3-5 days, and then the egg becomes infected, and therefore dangerous in its raw form. By using such a product without heat treatment, a person risks getting poisoning, typhoid fever, colitis and other ailments caused by salmonella.

Salmonella - bacteria that enter chicken eggs through bird droppings

Salmonella bacteria are responsible for the differences in the way eggs are stored:

• In the USA and Russia, eggs are processed at the factory - they are doused with soap or a special disinfectant solution, which allows you to get rid of bacteria on the shell. However, such a shower at the same time washes away part of the egg's protection - the cuticle - due to which the product cannot fully retain water and oxygen, and also becomes more susceptible to other bacteria. That is why, in these countries, eggs are stored exclusively in the refrigerator - this allows them to prevent contamination and remain valid for 90 days. A similar method is used in Japan, the Scandinavian countries and Australia.
• In Europe, a different approach is used - eggs are not washed in factories, and preventive vaccination of poultry is used to protect against salmonellosis. This eliminates the very source of the problem, which means that the eggs are not infected. However, room storage also affects the shelf life - no more than 25 days.

Cooling eggs has its drawbacks - when returning to room temperature, they can sweat, which increases the risk of mold during further storage. In addition, eggs can absorb odors, and there are many of them in the refrigerator, which may well affect the taste and aroma of the finished dish later. However, the obvious advantages cannot be ignored - a longer shelf life and an obstacle to the growth of pathogenic microorganisms, if they do get into the product.

Refrigeration prolongs the shelf life of eggs

In general, you can store eggs without a refrigerator, but only if you are sure that they come from healthy chickens and have not been washed before. Usually farm products are sold without processing, but here it is worth giving preference to only proven sellers. The advantage of storage at room temperature is the possibility of using it in baking - recipes often indicate that the product should not be cold. In addition, many argue that eggs that were not in the refrigerator are tastier.

Eggs can be stored without a refrigerator, but no more than 3 weeks after laying and only if the hens are safe and not washed. In European countries, birds are vaccinated against salmonellosis, therefore it is customary to store eggs there at room temperature. But processed eggs in the USA and Russia are better placed in the cold, getting an additional plus - long storage.