We’ve all been there. You open the fridge, ready to make a morning scramble, reach for the egg carton, and suddenly pause. Are these eggs still good? When did I even buy them? And more importantly, how am I supposed to tell if they’re spoiled just by looking at the shell?

If you’ve ever wondered the same, you’re not alone. The good news: there’s a quick, reliable test that can help you decide whether to crack the eggs or reach for a yogurt parfait instead. Read on to learn how it works.

How To Tell if Your Eggs Are Fresh

If your eggs make you stop and question their freshness, test them using the “bowl test,” say experts from Eggland’s Best, a popular egg brand. “For the ‘bowl test,’ fill a bowl with water and carefully drop the egg into it. If an egg is fresh, it will immediately sink to the bottom and lie flat on its side,” the company says. Then you’re all set to get cracking on that omelet, frittata, or soufflé

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