Boiling eggs is one of the seemingly simple tasks, but getting boiled eggs to the right degree with soft whites and rich yolks is not easy. Depending on personal preference, you can choose soft eggs, medium-cooked eggs, or fully cooked eggs. In this article, we’ll explore how to boil the perfect egg, from how long to boil it to tips to help you get the perfect egg for every meal.
1. Choose Fresh Eggs
Fresh eggs will yield better results when boiled. To check the freshness of eggs, you can apply the following tips:
- Drop the egg into a bowl of water: If the egg sinks to the bottom and stays horizontal, the egg is fresh. If the egg stands upright or floats to the surface, the egg is old and should not be used.
When boiled, fresh eggs will keep the whites firm and smooth and the yolks will not be fishy.
2. Boil Egg Time to your liking
The time it takes to boil eggs will determine the doneness of the yolk and white. Below is the standard time to boil eggs according to each level of doneness:
- Soft-boiled eggs (4-5 minutes): The white is cooked but the yolk is still liquid and fatty. This is the ideal choice for those who love eggs with soft and sweet yolks.
- Medium-cooked eggs (6-7 minutes): The white is fully cooked and the yolk has a slightly chewy center, not too dry. This type of egg is often used for ramen eggs or soft salted eggs.
- Eggs are fully cooked (9-10 minutes): The white and yolk are both completely cooked, with no liquid parts. This is the most popular type of egg, suitable for everyday meals.
You should use a timer to ensure the eggs reach the desired level of doneness.
3. How to Boil Eggs Perfectly
Below are detailed steps to boil eggs perfectly, ensuring eggs do not crack and reach the desired level of doneness:
Step 1: Prepare Water and Eggs
Place the eggs in a pot and pour cold water to cover the eggs by about 2-3 cm. Using cold water from the beginning helps the eggs cook evenly from the outside to the inside and prevents the shell from cracking due to sudden changes in temperature.
Step 2: Boil Eggs
Place the pot on the stove and heat over medium heat. When the water begins to boil (about 4-5 minutes), lower the heat and continue to cook for the desired time based on the egg’s doneness (4-10 minutes).
Step 3: Cool the Eggs
After the eggs have boiled for enough time, quickly take them out and drop them into a bowl of cold water or ice water. This cooling makes the eggs easier to peel and prevents the yolk from turning green (the result of boiling for too long).
Step 4: Peel the Egg
Once the eggs have cooled completely, you can easily peel the egg shell without worrying about the shell sticking to the white. To make peeling easier, you can roll the egg gently on the counter before peeling.
4. Tips for Delicious Boiled Eggs
To achieve the perfect flavor of boiled eggs, you can apply some of the following tips:
- Add salt to the boiling water: Adding a pinch of salt to a pot of water will help prevent the eggs from cracking and keep the egg whites from leaking out.
- Boil eggs evenly: If boiling multiple eggs at the same time, make sure the eggs are similar in size so they cook evenly.
- Use old eggs for easier peeling: Old eggs (7-10 days old) are usually easier to peel than new eggs. If you have new eggs, keep them in the refrigerator for a few days before boiling.
These tips will help you get delicious boiled eggs that are easier to peel.
5. How to Preserve Boiled Eggs
If you don’t eat all your boiled eggs right away, store them in the refrigerator to maintain freshness. Here are some ways to properly preserve boiled eggs:
- Store in an airtight container: Place eggs in an airtight container to prevent them from absorbing odors from other foods in the refrigerator.
- Store in shell: If you haven’t peeled the egg, leave it intact and store in the refrigerator. Eggshells will help protect the whites and yolks from bacteria and environmental impacts.
- Use within 5-7 days: Boiled eggs should be consumed within 5-7 days to ensure quality and freshness.
When you need to reheat eggs, you can put them in warm water for a few minutes instead of using the microwave, to prevent the eggs from drying out or exploding.
How to boil eggs
Boiling eggs seems simple but requires attention to every small detail such as boiling time, cooling and preservation. Hopefully with these tips, you will easily cook perfect boiled eggs, meeting all your family’s needs and preferences. From soft eggs to well-cooked eggs, try it now to feel the difference!