Perfectly Preserved Podcast Ep 31 - How to Preserve Eggs

Oh boy, this episode has been on our list for awhile because I get asked about it ALL THE TIME. If you spend any time on social media, specifically Instagram and TikTok you've seen people water glassing a big jar of eggs.

I've taken time to really scour the National Center for Home Food Preservation website to see which ways they recommend preserving eggs. I'll cut to the chase and say that they don't recommend water glassing eggs. 

Water glassing eggs involves submerging clean, unwashed, eggs in a pickling lime and water solution to seal off the shell and preserve them for 12-18 months.

The FDA does not recommend water glassing as a safe method for storing eggs. Calcium Hydroxide (slacked lime) is known to contain botulism in the powdered lime itself. Hydrated lime does not protect against botulism in long-term storage without acid and heat to kill it.

Here's what you can do INSTEAD!

1. Freeze ( add blended whole eggs, shell removed, to silicon or metal muffin tins and freeze. once frozen, pop out and store in freezer bags.)

2. Dehydrate (scramble eggs and place in thin layers on dehydrating trays for about 18 hours)

3. Store unwashed farm fresh eggs in the refrigerator for up to 4 months. This could easily last you through the periods of time that your hens aren't laying as much (cold winters or hot summers).

4. Pickle them and refrigerate! I love making pickled eggs with jalapeno slices for a spicy kick. These will last in your fridge for up to 4-6 months. Here's a great recipe from the National Center for Home Food Preservation website.

5. Freeze dry your scrambled eggs. Similar to dehydrating but the eggs hold more of the nutrients through the freeze drying process.