A mother in the background said that there is a kind of egg that can be eaten raw called “sterile egg” circulating in the circle of friends. It is said that the nutritional value is very high, and she also wants to buy it for her child. eat. But after reading many popular science articles, it is not recommended to eat raw eggs. Are these sterile eggs really edible? Especially can it be given to children?
01. Sterile eggs, ask “bacteria” where to go
When you hear “sterile eggs”, do you think, are the ordinary eggs we usually eat sterile eggs? What is this bacteria?
1. Eggs are susceptible to bacteria
There is a type of Salmonella that is a food-borne bacteria that can be found in the meat, eggs, and milk that people often eat.
Salmonella is resistant to low temperatures and can survive 3-4 months in the refrigerator, 2-3 weeks in water, and 1-2 months in natural manure. But it is not heat-resistant, and when the temperature reaches 100 degrees, they die.
A “sterile egg” on the market refers to an egg that has been strictly pasteurized and free of Salmonella, but experts point out that this egg is not 100% sterile , can only be called “less egg”.
2. How do eggs get infected with bacteria?
There are many factors that can cause eggs to become infected with Salmonella, but there are only two ways:
First, the hens are infected with Salmonella, causing the eggs they lay to become infected.
Second, when the soil or feces are infected with Salmonella, these substances may stick to the eggshell. Although the eggshell looks hard, it has many air holes on its surface, and bacteria It will enter the egg through the stomata of the egg shell, causing the egg liquid to become infected.
Therefore, the production of “sterile eggs”, from chicks, feed, drinking water, to the raising environment, etc., must go through more than 20 levels of control to ensure that it is not from ordinary Eggs meet the standard of “sterile eggs”.
02. The appearance and value of sterile eggs
1. Clean face
Because the production process of sterile eggs is strictly controlled, the egg shell is white and natural, and the egg’s face is clean, which is attractive to look at.
2. Elegant smell
Many eggs have an eggy smell, but sterile eggs don’t have that annoying taste, which is one of the reasons it’s popular.
But in fact, the smell of eggs is related to chicken feed on the one hand. If the feed contains rapeseed meal, rapeseed oil, fish meal or choline chloride, then the chicken will produce fishy substances in the body after eating this feed, and the fishy smell of the eggs will be heavier.
On the other hand it has to do with the breed of chicken. Just like the mutton smell of mutton, the meat quality of some breeds of sheep is very shy, but some breeds of sheep do not have such a strong taste.
So if you want no fishy smell in eggs, you can control it by selecting the breed of chicken and adjusting the feed formula, it has nothing to do with whether it is sterile or not.
3. The color is more beautiful
The yolk is the “core” of the egg, and people like to use color to assess its worth. The yolk of a “sterile egg” is yellower and brighter in color. Merchants say this kind of egg is more nutritious.
Actually, the color of the egg yolk is determined by the amount of fat-soluble pigment in the feed. If more beta-carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin are added to the feed, the color of the egg yolk will be more yellow, even orange-red.
To sum up, sterile eggs are indeed less bacteria and more attractive, but to say that they have better nutritional value is a bit over-marketed.
03. To be able to pick eggs, you must know how to eat them
In addition to sterile eggs, there are many varieties on the market, such as: selenium-enriched eggs,Eggs, newborn eggs, farm eggs, etc. These eggs with “titles” are also much more expensive than ordinary eggs. How to choose?
1. Two-watch and one-listen quick egg selection
1) See production date
It is best to buy eggs that are produced within 7 days. Also put it in the refrigerator in time after purchase, be careful not to put it in the refrigerator door.
2) Look at the appearance
Choose eggs with clean eggshells without cracks, because eggs with dirt such as chicken feces or cracked eggs are more susceptible to bacterial infection.
3) Listen to the sound
When picking eggs, shake them a few times in the ear, there is no sound, and you can’t feel the egg liquid dispersing. Generally, they are fresher. As for the merchants’ claims that they are rich in organic selenium, lecithin, high-quality protein, unsaturated fatty acids, etc., they are not credible. Because eggs are rich in high-quality protein, lecithin, vitamin A, amino acids and other nutrients, these nutrients have nothing to do with sterile eggs.
2. Is it more nutritious to eat raw or cooked eggs?
With the emergence of “sterile eggs”, many people follow the trend to eat eggs raw or soft, and feel that the tender egg liquid is more nutritious.
However, research shows that the absorption rate of human body protein is only 55% when eating raw eggs, while the absorption rate can be as high as 91% when boiled eggs are eaten.
Because raw eggs contain protease inhibitors, it will affect the digestion, absorption and utilization of protein. It also inhibits the absorption of B vitamins, leading to vitamin deficiency in the body.
Therefore, boiled eggs are recommended, both from a nutritional and food safety standpoint. Parents should pay attention, not to eat raw eggs for children.
In the end, whether it is worth paying the high price for sterile eggs depends on your needs, eating habits, and consumption levels.