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So THAT's Why There's A Weird Skin On Hard-Boiled Eggs

So THAT's Why There's A Weird Skin On Hard-Boiled Eggs

There are many theories about the best way to make and peel hard-boiled eggs, but no matter which method you choose, you’ve probably come across a thin, white skin that lies between the shell and the egg inside.

In some situations this “skin” can help you peel away the shell. In others, it just sticks to everything, making the whole job more challenging.

First of all, this skin is actually a protein membrane ― in fact, it’s two layers of membranes, one inner and one outer. Their purpose is to protect the egg from bacterial invasions. (The yolk is also encased in a clear membrane, but you’re less likely to notice it.)

A look at all the parts that make up the egg.
Frank de Benutzer
A look at all the parts that make up the egg.

As you can see from the diagram above, the egg is not made up of just the yolk and whites. There’s a whole lot more going on in there. We’re certain, for example, that you’ve come across the strange white string (also known as the chalazae) when cracking an egg before.

So how can you cook your eggs to make this membrane less apparent? It mostly depends on how you cook the egg.

If you’re looking to fully cook your hard-boiled eggs ― not soft-boiled, or somewhere in between ― there are a couple things you should know. First, don’t use the freshest eggs. Fresh egg whites bond more easily to the inner membrane than older eggs do, and this is what we’re trying to avoid. And second, understand that according to seasoned recipe- and food-tester Kenji Alt-Lopez, there is no fool-proof method to avoid that membrane. But starting the eggs off in a hot pot of water (vs. cold water) will seriously improve your chances for eggs that easily peel away from that inner membrane.

And if you should find yourself wrestling the skin and shell away from the egg, just remember that those barriers are what protected the egg before it made its way to your kitchen. So no harm, no foul.

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