To wash or not to wash, that is the question.

This is one of the topics that seems to get people very worked up. The controversy is compounded by national differences.

Why is there a bloom anyway?

An egg is full of all the good things that help a chick to grow and thrive. It's also all the good things that bacteria need to grow and thrive. Egg shells are porous, they have thousands of tiny pores which let air and moisture in and out. The bloom, also called the cuticle, coats the pores to keep bacteria out.

What if eggs are dirty?

Fair enough, nobody wants dirty eggs. Let's face it, when we talk about dirty eggs we're usually talking about chicken feces. The hens manage to poop on their own eggs and none of us want to eat that.

Wet poop can be wiped off gently and dry can be scraped or flicked off.

Even if the egg stays dirty you're not going to eat the shell are you? Are you? So as long as the dirt doesn't contaminate the egg as you crack it there shouldn't be a problem.

What if I wash an egg?

If you do wash an egg then either use it immediately or keep it in the fridge until you use it. This will stop bacteria developing in the egg.

Should eggs be kept in the fridge?

This brings us to the national differences. In the US eggs destined for sale to the public are legally required to be washed and refrigerated. In Europe, eggs destined for sale to the public cannot be washed.

If eggs have been washed, by you or the producer, then they should be refrigerated, otherwise they're perfectly fine kept in a cool larder.

How long will eggs stay fresh?

Eggs will keep from 3-5 weeks in a cool place.

For lots more great information on chickens and eggs check out our What you need to know to keep Chickens course 👍