Americans tend to refrigerate eggs due to a unique washing process that removes a protective membrane, thereby exposing the eggs to contamination risks. In contrast, most European countries do not wash eggs, allowing them to be stored at room temperature safely. This practice stems from historical preferences for cleanliness in the US, leading to a reliance on refrigeration for safety. Therefore, the divergence in egg handling practices is fundamentally linked to cultural attitudes towards sanitation and food safety.
From a food safety perspective, there's no significant difference between the two methods. Fecal matter on a shell is more a matter of disgust than a safety concern.
Chilling a washed egg reduces that risk, because low temperatures slow down gas exchange between air and egg.
Collection
[
|
...
]