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World Egg Day is celebrated every year on 11th October, which has been dedicated to the simple yet very nutritionally rich humble egg. Be it in omelette, luxurious curry, or just at a snack, an egg is a significant part of the global food list. Yet when it comes to boiling an egg, we have seen cracked shells pop out of them. You add the eggs to the pot, but halfway through the boiling period, you notice some cracks formed; the whites start leaking into the water. It's a fairly common occurrence; hopefully, by the end of this article, it won't happen to you again. If you've ever had cracked eggs troubles, this World Egg Day, let's see a few tips and tricks that ensure perfectly boiled eggs.
Start with Room Temperature Eggs
One of the most common reasons for cracking eggs during boiling is due to sudden temperature changes, especially taking the eggs out from the fridge and directly placing them in hot boiling water. Using cold eggs in boiling water makes them crack due to the rapid temperature shock. Avoid this by leaving the eggs at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before boiling. This gradual heating prevents shells from breaking once they are placed in the pot.
Use the Right-Sized Pot
Then there is the matter of pot size. In a small pot used to boil, eggs become overcrowded; thus, there is a big chance that they might ram into each other during boiling which causes cracking. Thus, it is very essential to use a pot where these eggs are properly accommodated in a single layer so that there is enough space between them with not much jostling and therefore no cracking.
Soak the eggs in cold water
Start with cold water instead of throwing your eggs into the already boiling water. Gently place the eggs in a saucepan or pot and fill them with cold water to make sure all the eggs get covered. The eggs will slowly cook up as the water gets hotter; they won't feel the shock of the extremely high temperatures that tend to break an egg. Eggs boiled starting with cold water are not overcooked. As a result, the yolk and white become softer and more silky to chew.
Add vinegar or salt
Adding a little vinegar or some salt to the water when boiling eggs can also prevent cracks. Once a small crack occurs, the vinegar or salt helps proteins in the egg whites coagulate quickly, sealing the crack and preventing liquid from leaking out of the egg. It's a simple effective technique many home cooks swear by.
Simmer at a Soft Boil, Not a Rolling Boil
The way in which you boil the eggs will also cause some of them to crack. If the water is boiling too fast, the eggs bounce around in the pot, and it increases the chances for some eggs to crack. Bring the water to a boil then lower the heat to a simmer. A slow, steady simmer will cook the eggs without the rough movement caused by a rolling boil.
Pricking with Pin Before Boiling
Prick the egg gently at the larger end with a pin before boiling. The air pocket in the eggs at the larger end will expand when it is heated. This tends to cause the shell on that end to crack. When you have formed the miniature hole, allow the air to escape slowly by this process, hence a lower tendency of cracking. Just prick the egg lightly so that you do not puncture the membrane.
