If the egg whites are old, is it safe to make Italian meringue?
If the eggs are little bit old, and I used the egg whites to make Italian meringue, is it safe to it ?
Egg whites could contain salmonella, and especially in my country where eggs are sold locally from local farms without being tested. I have the eggs in the refrigerator since 2 weeks, and sometimes I make scrambled or boiled eggs with them, but could I eat meringue with them that is made by adding hot syrup (Italian meringue) ?
The syrup will cook the whites or there still a danger of eating it ?
Best Answer
In short, if they are safe to eat cooked still they are likely safe to eat in a meringue.
There is a higher chance of salmonella on the outside of shell than the inside. 2 Weeks for eggs in the fridge is not very long. To find out a bit about the bacteria actions within the egg, submerge the whole egg fully in 2 cup a measuring cup of water. Make sure there is a couple inches of water above the egg when you first put it in. If the egg stands up, it is not super fresh, but also not spoiled, if it floats then it is not very fresh. If it jumps straight to the top of the water and bobs around, I wouldnt make meringue with it.
As the egg ages and bacteria develops inside, gases are released which will make the egg float. Eggs that float are still edible, but not super fresh and should be cooked more thoroughly.
This is a rough guide, but it has always served me well, I learned it from dumpster diving.
Pictures about "If the egg whites are old, is it safe to make Italian meringue?"
Quick Answer about "If the egg whites are old, is it safe to make Italian meringue?"
In short, if they are safe to eat cooked still they are likely safe to eat in a meringue. There is a higher chance of salmonella on the outside of shell than the inside. 2 Weeks for eggs in the fridge is not very long.Can you use old eggs for meringue?
If some egg yolk gets into the white, try to remove it with a piece of egg shell. If loads of yolk gets into the white, start again. Older egg whites are best for meringues, as it is easier to beat their runnier whites to create more volume.How old can you use egg whites?
Infants and Egg Allergies Since egg allergies can create dangerous symptoms in kids, many pediatricians do not recommend serving egg whites until the baby is older than one year. Since the egg white contains allergenic components, yolks generally tend to be safer.Can you use day old egg whites for meringue?
Age of Eggs:Meringue recipes work better with eggs that are at least 3 or 4 days old. Thin, older egg whites whip more easily to a higher volume than thick, fresh egg whites. Once whipped, the foam from thin whites is less stable because the liquid film drains more easily from the bubbles.How can you tell if egg whites are old?
Egg white that isn't white \u2013 If the egg white isn't clear or cloudy white, it may be bad. If your egg white has a green or iridescent look, it may have harmful bacteria. It may not be safe for consumption. If you notice that the color is off, smell your egg.Science: The Magic of Meringue—Why Timing Matters When Whipping Egg Whites and Sugar
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Klaus Nielsen, Klaus Nielsen, Klaus Nielsen, Klaus Nielsen