Eggs are the first thing many people think of for a healthy breakfast. Cheap, nutritious and quick to prepare, they are part of many people's daily diet. To save time, many boil several eggs at once and keep them in the fridge, taking them out to eat or reheat as needed. But care is needed when heating eggs a second time, because the wrong method can not only spoil the taste but also pose a health risk.

According to experts, it is safe to reheat eggs that have already been boiled or cooked, provided they have been stored correctly. Boiled eggs should not be left out for long; it is generally safest to put them in the fridge within two hours.

When reheating refrigerated eggs, make sure they get hot enough. According to food safety guidance, harmful bacteria such as salmonella are destroyed when the internal temperature of food reaches at least 74 degrees Celsius, so eggs must be heated thoroughly before being eaten again.

If eggs have been left at room temperature for a long time, however, it is not worth the risk of reheating and eating them. In that case the safe decision is to throw them away.

For many people the microwave is the easiest and quickest way to heat food, but food safety experts warn that it is not safe for boiled eggs.

When an egg is heated in a microwave, the water molecules inside heat quickly and turn to steam. The egg white and shell do not let the steam escape easily, so a lot of pressure builds up inside. The pressure can rise so much that the egg bursts suddenly, almost like an explosion, when it is cut or put in the mouth, with a risk of burns to the mouth, lips or tongue. Experts therefore advise against reheating boiled eggs in a microwave.

Hot water is considered the safest and most effective way to reheat boiled eggs:

• Bring enough water to the boil in a pan.
• When it boils, turn off the heat.
• Put the boiled eggs, still in their shells, into the hot water and cover the pan.
• Leave them for about 10 minutes and they will warm through gradually.

This method keeps the moisture inside the egg, stops it becoming rubbery, reduces the risk of cracking and heats the egg evenly all the way through.

A few simple rules help keep eggs safe. After boiling, cool them quickly and refrigerate them. Boiled eggs kept in the fridge generally stay good for up to a week. If an egg shows any unusual smell, colour or change in texture, it is better not to eat it. Avoid heating and cooling eggs repeatedly, and heat only as much as you need.

Eggs are nutritious and healthy, but if not stored and reheated properly they can carry a risk of foodborne illness. So when reheating boiled eggs, use the hot-water method instead of the microwave; a little care can make sure the food is safe. The Bengali report cited Healthline, India Today and other sources.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.