Red spots floating in eggs bought at the market – is this normal, or is it a warning sign?
Maybe it’s happened to you: you crack open an egg and suddenly a small red or brownish spot floats in it. Many people are shocked at that moment – is it blood? Is the egg still safe? And should we throw it away?
Let’s explain it calmly, clearly and without unnecessary worries.
Why do red spots appear in an egg?
Small red or darker dots appear when the delicate blood vessels in a hen are slightly damaged during ovulation.
This is a completely natural phenomenon that can occur at the moment when the yolk is released from the ovary, or a little later during its journey through the fallopian tube.
These spots have nothing to do with fertilization – they are not the beginning of the development of the chicken or a sign of the age of the egg.
Is an egg with a blood spot safe?
In most cases, yes.
If the egg smells normal, has a natural color, and is not expired, you can use it without any worries – especially after thorough heat treatment.
The spot:
does not affect the taste,
does not change the nutritional value,
is not a health risk if you cook or fry the egg properly.
If it still bothers you visually, simply remove it with the tip of a knife.
What about brown spots in the egg whites?
This is another common thing – small pieces of tissue that get into the egg during its formation.
They are not harmful to your health and can be removed just like a blood spot.