My friend Susan, who's travelling in the UK, sent me this picture of eggs on a grocery store shelf....
Have you ever noticed that throughout Europe, you see eggs sharing the shelf with cereal? The eggs are not next where we'd expect them to be in the refrigerated section next to the milk, cheese and butter.
Wondering why that is?
It's all about the Bloom, baby!
What’s Bloom you ask? It’s a thin, waxy, and slightly sticky protective coating naturally secreted by hens onto the surface of freshly laid eggs. Initially wet, it quickly dries (in seconds) to form an invisible shield, guarding the egg from external contaminants and helping to maintain its freshness.
In Europe, regulations prevent farmers from washing their eggs to preserve the bloom's integrity. In fact, it’s illegal for farmers to wash their eggs.
However, in North America, it’s the exact opposite, commercial eggs have to undergo rigorous washing with chemicals (often bleach) to meet health standards.
Sadly, the washing strips away the protective bloom, causing the eggshell to become porous making refrigeration required for safety as the egg is no longer sealed.
We’re big believers in letting nature do its thing round here, so we trust in the power of the bloom!
By preserving the bloom, we embrace nature's wisdom, ensuring our eggs stay naturally fresh and delicious.
Next time you grab farm-fresh eggs, be sure to ask the farmer if they're washed or not.
We get it, even with bloom intact —you may prefer refrigeration. Just know you have a choice with unwashed eggs.
Now you're in on the secret—the reason why some eggs can lounge on shelves, while others need refrigeration.