“What the White String Attached to the Egg Yolk Reveals About Its Freshness”

Have you ever cracked an egg in the morning and noticed a strange white string attached to the yolk? You’re not alone, and despite some rumors, it’s not the chicken’s umbilical cord—thankfully!

What you’re looking at is called a chalazae, and there are two of them, one on each side of the yolk. These little strings serve an important function: they act as anchors, helping to keep the yolk centered in the egg white. While they may look a bit odd or unsettling, they’re completely safe to eat.

Chalazae are easy to spot when you crack open an egg. In fact, their appearance can tell you something about the egg’s freshness—the more pronounced the chalazae, the fresher the egg. As eggs age, the chalazae fade and eventually disappear.

Here are five surprising facts about eggs you might not know:
– **Vitamin D**: Egg yolks are a natural source of Vitamin D, which is rare in foods.
– **Yolk Color**: The color of an egg yolk can indicate its freshness. Cloudy whites usually mean a fresher egg, while clear whites mean the egg is a little older. If the whites are pinkish, the egg is spoiling.
– **Brown vs. White**: The color of an eggshell depends on the breed of the chicken, but it doesn’t affect the nutritional value.
– **Bad Eggs Float**: As eggs age, air seeps into the shell, causing it to float in water.
– **Egg Cleanup**: If you drop an egg, sprinkle some salt on it. It will help make cleanup easier.