Separating eggs is a very important skill for any cook, but it can be tricky if you don’t know what you’re doing.
You may need to separate egg yolks for certain baking recipes, or for making sauces and condiments. There are several ways to separate the egg white from the egg yolk.
In this article, we are going to tell you about some of the best ways to separate egg yolk from egg whites.
Why Separate Egg Yolks?
The separation of the yolk from the white is a common step in general food preparation processes.
The reason for this is that the yolk contains most of the fat and cholesterol, which makes it unnecessary for a lot of recipes, especially certain types of cakes and sweet things.
How To Separate Eggs By Using Your Hands
Wash your hands before using your hands to separate egg whites from eggshells. Firstly, crack the shell of the egg on a flat surface.
Grab a bowl, and open up the egg in your hand, discarding the shell.
Let the egg sit in your hand, and allow the egg whites to move through the cracks in your fingers into the bowl below.
You can move your hands and fingers to try to sift all the egg white through.
Be careful not to let any of the yolk drop in, and be careful not to puncture it, too. Pop the egg yolk into a separate bowl.
How To Separate Eggs By Using The Shell
Crack an egg against a flat surface. Cleanly split the shell into two parts. Catch the yolk inside one of the shells. Transfer the yolk back and forth between the two shells.
This can be difficult, so make sure to do it as smoothly as you can. Don’t let any part of the shell puncture the yolk.
Watch as the egg white will fall below, and the egg yolk will remain inside one half of the shell.
How To Use A Plastic Bottle To Separate An Egg Yolk
Using a plastic bottle to separate eggs is one of the best and quickest ways to do it. You can get tools that replicate the process of using a plastic bottle if you would prefer.
To use a plastic bottle to separate your egg, crack the eggshell on a flat surface, and deposit the whole egg into a bowl.
Next, grab a clean, empty plastic bottle. Depress the plastic bottle halfway, so it is slightly crinkled. Aim it on top of the egg yolk, and touch the egg yolk gently with the bottle.
Loosen your grip on the bottle, so the egg yolk shoots into the bottle.
If this does not work, simply squeeze the empty bottle when it is set above the egg, and the egg yolk should go into the bottle.
What Tools Are There For Separating Egg Yolks?
There are tools to help you separate egg yolks, but these may be annoying because they only have one use.
If you do not want to try to separate the yolks with things you already have, there are a few kinds of devices you can use.
You can buy a device made of silicone or rubber that will replicate the plastic bottle method. These are often shaped like animals, and they are pretty cool kitchen gadgets.
Additionally, you can use a turkey baster to separate your eggs, as this does the same thing as a plastic bottle will do.
Other egg separating devices include metal egg separating strainers, and metal spiralized holders that allow the egg white to drop through.
How To Remove The Eggshells From Raw Egg
You may find that you have a bit of eggshell in your separated eggs. You may be inclined to try to scoop it out with your hands, but this will not work.
The same goes with a spoon; the eggshell will run away. Well, not to worry! If any bits of shell get into your perfectly separated eggs, just use one of the eggshells to scoop them out.
Can I Keep Separated Egg Whites Or Yolks?
Raw egg yolk is fine to use as a cooking ingredient. Store them in the refrigerator. Cooked egg whites are also okay to eat. Do not store them for more than a couple of days.
As a tip, egg yolks should be covered with water in the fridge, so they do not dry out.
What Does A Recipe Mean By Separated Eggs?
Separated egg is a term that is seen a lot in cooking.
Some recipes may require only the egg yolk (or just the whites) or only the entire eggs. Sometimes they’re both needed, but you can use each one at different points in time.
To achieve this, you need first to separate the egg white and then the yolk.
You may need to use egg whites on their own to add a certain fluffiness, and you may need to add egg yolks to a different mix to add richness. These can then be combined at a later stage.
Why Do Eggs Need Separating When Baking?
Separated egg yolks can be used in many dishes such as sauces, dressings and even desserts, but they are often taken out of baked goods such as cakes or cookies.
This is because they are fattier, and they do not help the cakes stay airy.
Often, egg whites are added to cakes to give them more fluffiness and lightness. Egg whites are usually whipped and added to batters, and they are most popularly used to make meringues.
However, although egg yolks are not seen as much in baking, they can add a certain richness to foods and are frequently used in cooking custard and mayonnaise.
Can I Use a Food Processor to Separate Egg Yolk?
Yes, you can definitely utilize a food processor for removing egg yolks. By simply cracking the eggs into the processor’s bowl and using the grating cheese with a processor feature, you can separate the yolks from the whites effortlessly. This convenient method saves time and ensures a mess-free process.
Final Thoughts
If you have trouble separating egg yolks, don’t worry! There are plenty of other methods available to you.
There are so many ways to separate egg yolks from egg whites, and they are super quick, too. Sometimes, you don’t even need a special tool.
All the information you will need about separating eggs is written above.
