Boiled egg with gray yolk: Is it dangerous to eat it? Find out what causes it and how to avoid it
Eggs are an essential food in most of our kitchens. Thanks to its versatility, we use it frequently in all kinds of recipes. But have you ever cooked an egg and found a greenish-gray ring around the yolk? You probably have. This may make you wonder: is the egg bad? Is it dangerous to eat? What happened to make the yolk change color? Let's answer all these questions!
Why does a gray or green ring appear on the yolk of the boiled egg?
Ideally, when cooking an egg, we obtain a white white and a yellow yolk. However, sometimes, when peeling it, we discover a gray ring around the yolk, accompanied by a slight sulfur smell. This is no coincidence: the main cause is the cooking time.
Cooking an egg seems like a simple task. We place it in boiling water, wait a few minutes and that's it. But there is more science behind this process than we might imagine. If we cook the egg too long, at very high temperatures, or leave it in the hot water after cooking, that dark rim around the yolk will appear.
The gray or greenish ring is the result of a chemical reaction between the sulfur in the white and the iron in the yolk. When the egg is overcooked, these elements form iron sulfide, which is deposited on the surface of the yolk, giving it that characteristic coloration.
How to prevent the appearance of the gray ring in the egg yolk?
The key is to control the cooking time. Although times vary according to taste and type of recipe, there are general parameters you can follow:
- Hard-boiled egg, for recipes such as deviled eggs: 8-10 minutes.
- Egg mollet, ideal for some eggs benedict: 4-5 minutes.
- Soft-boiled egg: no more than 3 minutes.
Remember that these times are calculated from the moment the water begins to boil. Once the cooking is finished, place the eggs in a bowl of cold water to cut the residual heat and prevent further cooking.
By following these simple tips, you will be able to enjoy perfect boiled eggs without worrying about that unpleasant leaden hue in the yolk.
Time to put on your apron:
Now that we know the ideal cooking time to avoid that unpleasant green ring in the yolk when cooking eggs, we can put on our aprons and use this wonderful ingredient in some of these delicious recipes.
