Do Farm Fresh Eggs Need to Be Refrigerated?

Eggs provide essential nutrients like folate, zinc, and calcium amongst many others. However, farm fresh eggs are believed to offer higher nutritional values than regular eggs.

Many people wonder if farm fresh eggs are different from the ones bought at the store, and for good reasons Farm fresh eggs are said to:

Hold more nutritional value

Taste better than regular eggs bought at the store
Have yolks with richer color
Have different colors, shell types, and sizes

Contain less saturated fat and cholesterol
Contain more omega-3 fatty acids and beta carotene
Have more vitamin A, E, and D

Feeding is one major reason why farm fresh eggs hold more nutritional value than the regular eggs bought at the store. Chickens raised in farms are fed with better quality foods.

Letting them loose to source their own meals seems to have this effect. They get more leafy greens and natural proteins unlike chickens raised with pelleted feed in factories.

Hence, some people choose farm fresh eggs over other options. But after purchasing a carton of farm fresh eggs, the usual concern is storage. Do farm fresh eggs need to be refrigerated? Let’s find out.

Do Farm Fresh Eggs Need to Be Refrigerated?

Farm fresh eggs are perfectly safe at room temperature but may last longer when stored in the refrigerator.

Generally, how long they will last depend on if the farmer washed the eggs after collecting them or not. Eggs come with a protective coating around the shell known as ‘bloom’ which prevents bacteria from getting into the pores. As long as the egg still has the bloom on, it is safe from bacteria and can be stored at room temperature.

Washing of eggs removes the bloom from the shells, thus putting the eggs at risk of getting contaminated with bacteria. You can always ask the farmer if the eggs were washed before buying them. This will let you know how best to store your eggs. If they were washed, you should refrigerate them.

Now we know the answer to the question “do farm fresh eggs need to be refrigerated?” You might be wondering how long they can last if not refrigerated.

How Long Do Farm Fresh Eggs Last Unrefrigerated?

Farm fresh eggs stored at room temperature and that still have their bloom on can remain fresh and safe to eat for at least two weeks.

For better taste and freshness, it is best to consume eggs within the first two weeks of bringing them from the farm.

If stored in the refrigerator, they can last up to five weeks. To know if your egg is still safe to eat, submerge it in a bowl of water. If it is fresh, it will sit at the bottom of the bowl. If it floats, it has most likely gone bad.

How to Store Eggs Without Refrigeration?

Here are some ways to store your eggs:

Coating fresh eggs in food-grade mineral oil

Storing eggs in the original packaging they came in
Storing eggs upside down to prevent oxidation
Burying eggs in a salt-filled container without allowing them to touch

Storing eggs in lime solution
Storing as pickled eggs
Turning eggs over every two to three days

Do Chicken Eggs Need to Be Refrigerated?

Storing chicken eggs at room temperature is perfectly fine. They do not need to be stored in the fridge. Some people even feel that storing eggs in the fridge can affect the taste when cooked.

As long as the bloom on your egg is intact, it will be fine at room temperature. But if you have any reason to wash your egg, you will need to cook it immediately or refrigerate it afterward.

Do Duck Eggs Need to Be Refrigerated?

Duck eggs are widely known alternatives to chicken eggs. They have similar tastes and last longer. They are also larger and more nutritious.

Duck eggs also have bloom, which protects them from being contaminated. So, it is not necessary to refrigerate them either. Freshly laid duck eggs can be left out at room temperature for at least one month and can be frozen without their shell to make them last up to six months.

How To Preserve Boiled Egg Without Refrigeration

One way to preserve boiled eggs without refrigeration is pickling. This is done in a closed and clean jar. Canning jars are most suitable for this.

To try this method, follow these steps:

First, make sure the jar is well sterilized and suitable for use to prevent bacteria from forming. This can be done by washing the jar with warm water and light soap, after which it should be placed in the oven at the lowest temperature for about 30 minutes.
Then, Boil the egg in about 1.0 inches of water over the egg for 14-17 minutes depending on the size of the eggs

Rinse the eggs with water to cool them down and then peel
Next, prepare the brine with 350ml of water, 350ml of distilled white vinegar, 1 garlic clove, 1 tablespoon of pickling spice, and 1 bay leaf. Mix all the ingredients and bring to boil. Turn down the heat and allow it to simmer for about 10 minutes
Place the eggs and the brine in the canning jar and seal tightly

This way, your eggs will last for about three to four months. Note that pickled eggs must be refrigerated at all times.

Can Fresh Farm Eggs Be Stored at Room Temperature?

Yes, they can. Fresh unwashed eggs from a local farm or your backyard can be stored on your counter at room temperature and will last for about 2 to 4 weeks there.
Always remember that only unwashed eggs can be stored in this manner. Washed eggs, freshly laid or not, must be stored in the refrigerator to keep them safe and fresh to eat.
The best practice when it comes to washing eggs is to wash them right before you use them unless they are covered in mud, chicken poop, or dirt. To wash off the dirt, it is best to use warm water.