Even though powered egg whites are not entirely new, some people don’t know what they are or how to store them. A powered egg white is often called dried eggs or egg powder. In other words, it is an egg processed into a powdered form. The powered egg white has the same nutritional value as if it hadn’t changed its form.
However, preserving the egg white in powdered form is challenging for some people. Frankly, there is no hard and fast rule on storing powdered egg whites. Before you learn about storage, let’s show you how it’s made.
5 Tips to preserve your powdered egg white
One thing that affects your egg white is the temperature of the room where it is stored. If the room is moist, your powdered egg white will be damaged in less than 24 hours. Below are tips that can help you store your dried egg whites properly.
- Dark storage: Storing them in a dark room helps preserve your product. If your egg white is exposed to too much light, it could degrade the quality of the powder. Too much light can damage the nutritional value.
- Cool and dry: By now, you should know that the best place to store most edible items is cool and dry. This also applies to powdered egg white because it keeps it away from moisture. The environment should be dry, cool, and receive the right proportion of light.
- Airtight container: Don’t expose your powdered egg white to air, which could cause moisture. As soon as you take the portion you want to use, quickly close the container tightly to prevent too much air from getting in.
- Vacuum sealing: If you are traveling for a long time and may not use your product, consider the vacuum sealing storage method for the powdered egg white. Vacuum sealing removes air and preserves the product for a longer period.
- Don’t open the package: If you are not ready to use the entire product within a short period, you can leave the package unopened because it can last for more than a year. When you open the container of your powdered egg white and do not store it properly, it can last for a few months.
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Check the “Best By” dates on the product. Every product has a “best by” date on the package. The best by date will offer guidance on when to use the product. Also, refrigerating your powdered egg is not a good idea. Storing the dried egg white at room temperature remains the best way to preserve it. Have you considered freezing your powdered egg white? Freezing it will make it last longer.
How the powdered white egg is made
The production process of the dried egg involves dehydrating liquid eggs through mixing and breaking them. This means that after the egg shells are removed, the liquid form of the egg is dried up. The next step is to grind the result of the dried egg mixture into a fine powder. Pasteurization is used to extend the lifespan of the shell. Considering how easy it is to produce, you can try this process and dry the egg white.
Types of powdered eggs
Even though our discussion is about powdered egg white, it would be good to let you know that there are other types. The following are different types of powered eggs.
- Whole egg powder: As you would know, the whole egg powder contains whites and yolks. Both parts of the egg are mixed, dried, and processed into a powdered form. The whole egg powder is preserved like you would store the white egg.
- Egg yolk powder: The egg yolk powder contains just the yolk. Like the whole egg powder, it is dried and processed into a powder form. The storage required for egg yolk is not different from what you would use to preserve others.
- Egg white powder: The egg white powder has been described in this article. Only the white part of the egg is dried and processed into powder. If appropriately preserved, the white powdered egg can last for months.
What is the estimated shelf life of a powdered white egg
One of the reasons eggs are processed into powder is that they last longer. Even when the egg is raw, it may not last more than 2 months, even with proper storage. Therefore, drying the egg and processing it into powder is a good way to make it last longer. The shelf life of a powdered white egg is more than 8 months. In some cases, a powdered egg white could last longer. However, the container where the powdered substance is stored must be adequately sealed. As stated earlier, keeping it in a cool, dry place and away from harsh sunlight will keep it in good condition.
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The advantage of powdered egg
Many people prefer powdered egg for several reasons. The advantages of powdered egg white are outlined below:
- Nutritional value: The nutritional value of the powdered egg remains the same. Most brands don’t add any substance to the powdered egg. The white part of the egg contains protein and other essential minerals. The nutritional value may be reduced depending on how the egg is dehydrated. Therefore, it’s best to patronize a brand that sells powdered egg white that maintains its nutritional value.
- Convenience: Another reason you may want to buy a powered egg is its convenience. You don’t have to worry about the egg breaking or transporting it. Therefore, you can take a powdered egg for activities like hiking or camping, which will remain in the same form. Also, if you want to prepare a meal quickly, the powdered form of the egg makes it faster. In addition, you don’t have to worry about waste like disposing of eggshells.
- Cost-effective: The initial cost of a powdered egg is higher, but considering the shelf life, you would realize that it’s better. Their versatility and shelf life make up for the price of a powdered egg. However, if you purchase a large quantity, you will likely get a discount from the vendor.
- Reconstitution: The first worry people have is how to reconstitute the powdered eggs. To reconstitute, mix the desired amount of egg powder with water in a bowl and stir it. You can also follow the instructions on the powdered egg product package.
Conclusion
Storing your powdered egg white in a cool, dry place remains the best and cheapest way to preserve it. Significantly, the container where the dried egg white is stored must be closed tightly to avoid air. Therefore, after using the container, close it immediately. Finally, ensure that the brand you get your powdered egg white from doesn’t use preservatives.
