Antony Sutanto, new scientist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), is making a thrilling claim. His new research heads in that direction with some discoveries that could change the way we store and handle eggs. The study implemented dynamic egg drop tests to measure eggs’ shock resistance. This action research study was born out of the imperfect realities of increased pricing and increasing consumer worries about breakage.
In March, the price of eggs shot up to an average of $6.23 per dozen. That was almost a 6% jump from February and a jaw-dropping 60% from year-over-year. This price escalation, reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, has prompted many consumers to seek ways to preserve their eggs and minimize waste.
Sutanto took measurements of the eggs prior to the egg drop experiments. He then oriented these props sideways for the experimental runs. We dropped all 180 eggs from three different heights to test whether position affected breakage rates. The findings revealed that under 10% of eggs were damaged and more than half of those dropped straight down broke.
The tests provided important information about egg durability. Eggs placed sideways also showed greater resistance to impacts than eggs dropped upright. According to MIT researchers, “Eggs are tougher when loaded on their equator.” This positive finding indicates that the storage conditions of eggs may play an important role in their ability to survive severe handling.
Lisa Steele, a Maine-based backyard chicken advocate, warned consumers to avoid cracked eggs at the bottom of the store-bought carton. She stressed the difficulty in determining how long the eggs have been sitting on supermarket shelves. This uncertainty may compromise their performance, or at worst, their safety.
“Always check your eggs carefully before purchase. If you find one cracked in the carton, it is best not to buy it as you cannot be sure of its freshness.”
Sutanto’s groundbreaking experiment sheds new light on these largely overlooked physical characteristics of eggs. Further, it provides new consumer-oriented tips to cope with surging egg prices and food quality issues. Understand the ins and outs of egg storage and handling. We want this information to equip you to prevent waste and get the most utility from your eggs!
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