How to cook perfect hard-boiled eggs without the cracks
How do you cook hard-boiled eggs so they don't crack and peel easily? It's possible, but you need to remember a few rules.
23 May 2024 13:32
Some people believe that to cook eggs perfectly, you only need to watch the time. This is an important rule, but a few more tricks are worth knowing. Taking the eggs out of the fridge at least an hour earlier is best to let them reach room temperature. Often, their cracking is caused by a significant temperature difference when they go from a cold fridge to warm water. It's also better to put them in cold water, making the process easier to control.
Special additives
Add a tablespoon of table salt to the water if you want beautifully looking-eggs. This has been a known method for years, which prevents the shell from cracking and makes peeling the eggs much more accessible. Instead of salt, you can add lemon juice or white vinegar to the water, achieving a similar effect. Just a teaspoon per egg is enough. You can also try another method: lightly pierce the rounded end of the egg with a pin or needle. This area contains an air pocket, and piercing it reduces the pressure under the shell, which prevents cracking during cooking.
Timing is key
Hard-boiled eggs should also have the perfect consistency. Here, time is crucial, as well as the correct cooking utensil. The eggs should fit comfortably next to each other in the pot. For a more significant number of eggs, wide saucepans are best. Pour water into the pot, add your chosen additives, and carefully place the eggs. Cook them on a medium-heated burner. Once the water reaches a boil, it needs no more than 10 minutes or will crack. Cook small eggs for up to 8 minutes, medium ones for up to 9 minutes, and large ones for up to 10 minutes. And these are all the secrets to perfectly cooked eggs.
