To test if an egg is good, you can use several simple and effective methods:

1. The Water (Float) Test

• Fill a bowl or glass with cold water.
• Gently place the egg in the water.
• If the egg sinks and lies flat on its side, it is fresh and good to use.
• If it sinks but stands upright or tilts, it is still safe but not as fresh.
• If the egg floats to the top, it is too old and should be discarded

This works because as eggs age, air enters through the porous shell, enlarging the air cell and increasing buoyancy.

2. The Egg White (Plate) Test

• Crack the egg onto a flat plate.
• A fresh egg will have a thick, slightly opaque egg white that doesn’t spread much, and a rounded, firm yolk.
• An older egg has a watery, clear egg white that spreads out more and a flatter yolk

3. The Sniff Test

• Smell the egg either in the shell or after cracking it open.
• A bad egg emits a strong sulfur or rotten smell.
• If there is any off odor, discard the egg immediately

4. Visual and Physical Inspection

• Check the shell for cracks, sliminess, or powdery residue (which can indicate mold or bacteria).
• When cracked open, look for any discoloration such as pink or iridescent hues in the white or yolk.
• Fresh eggs have a cloudy egg white and vibrant yolk; old eggs have clear whites and dull yolks.
• You can also gently shake the egg near your ear; fresh eggs make no sound, while older eggs may produce a sloshing noise due to thinning contents

Using a combination of these methods provides a reliable way to determine if an egg is still good to eat or should be discarded.