When to Throw the Egg Away
If you notice any of the following signs, it’s best to discard the egg:
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A strong, foul odor (the classic “rotten egg” smell).
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The egg white looks cloudy, pink, or greenish — signs of bacterial growth.
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The egg feels slimy or unusually watery.
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The shell is cracked, moldy, or sticky.
When in doubt, do the water test: place the egg in a bowl of water.
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Fresh eggs sink and lay flat.
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Older eggs stand upright or float — a sign they’ve gone bad.
🐔 Why Do Blood Spots Happen in Store-Bought Eggs?
Even with modern egg inspection and quality control, some eggs with small spots slip through. This can happen because:
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Lighting or candling might miss tiny internal specks.
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Older hens or those under mild stress are more likely to lay eggs with small vessel ruptures.
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Nutritional imbalances or slight hormonal changes in the hen can cause these harmless imperfections.
Interestingly, farm-fresh or organic eggs may show blood spots more often simply because they’re less intensively processed and inspected.
🧠 Fun Fact: Blood Spots Don’t Mean Fertilization
A common myth says that a red spot means the egg was fertilized. In reality, fertilized eggs look almost identical to unfertilized ones unless they’ve been incubated for several days. Blood spots have nothing to do with embryos — they’re just natural blemishes caused by a burst capillary.
🌿 Final Thoughts
Finding red or brown specks in your eggs might look strange, but in most cases, it’s completely normal and harmless. It’s a natural sign that your egg came from a real hen — not a factory-perfect process.
As long as the egg smells fresh, looks normal, and passes the water test, it’s perfectly safe to cook and enjoy. Simply remove the spot if it bothers you, and scramble away with confidence!
Bottom line:
Red floaty things in your eggs aren’t a warning sign — just a small, natural hiccup in the egg-laying process. Safe, normal, and nothing to fear.
