What Color is a Bad Egg Yolk? Identifying Signs of Spoilage

Well, you’ve probably seen it before—a slightly different color in the egg yolk and wondered, "Is this egg still good?" I’ve had that same thought a few times myself, and honestly, it can be a bit unsettling to crack open an egg and not know if it’s safe to eat. But the color of the yolk can actually tell you a lot about its quality. Let’s dive into the mystery of egg yolk color and how to tell if an egg has gone bad.

The Basics: What Should a Healthy Egg Yolk Look Like?

Before we get into what a bad yolk might look like, it’s important to understand what a healthy yolk should be. Normally, egg yolks range from bright yellow to deep orange, depending on the hen’s diet. The more yellow-orange color typically indicates that the hen has been eating a diet rich in carotenoids, like those found in plants such as corn and alfalfa.

Personally, I always found it fascinating how eggs from different places or types of hens can have such a variety in yolk color. But I digress—let's stick to the main point: if your egg yolk is a vibrant, rich yellow or orange, it’s a good sign!

When the Yolk Turns a Different Color: Red Flags

Alright, now let’s talk about when things go wrong. If the yolk of your egg isn’t yellow or orange, it could be a sign that something’s off. I remember one time cracking open an egg that had a weird, almost greenish tint, and I thought, “What in the world?” Luckily, it wasn’t spoiled, but I learned a lot from that experience. So, what should you be on the lookout for?

A Pale or Faded Yolk

If the yolk appears pale yellow or almost white, that’s usually a sign of poor quality eggs or that the egg might not be fresh. A lack of color in the yolk often means that the hen’s diet was lacking in carotenoids or that the egg is older. While this doesn’t necessarily mean the egg is bad or unsafe to eat, it could indicate that it’s not as fresh as you would like.

I’ve had eggs where the yolk was so pale that I had to double-check the expiration date. If it’s past the "best before" date, it might be worth tossing.

A Greenish or Grayish Yolk

Now, this is where things get a bit more concerning. If your egg yolk looks green or gray, it’s a clear sign that the egg is bad. A greenish hue can be caused by a chemical reaction between the iron in the yolk and the sulfur in the egg white, which usually happens when the egg has been overcooked, but can also happen when the egg is old or has been stored improperly.

Once, I made scrambled eggs with a batch that I wasn’t too sure about, and the yolk had a faint greenish tint. I instantly tossed them out after doing some quick research and realizing they were likely too old. Better safe than sorry!

What to Do if Your Egg Yolk Looks Weird?

So, let’s say you crack open an egg and the yolk isn’t what you expected. What should you do?

Check for Other Signs of Spoilage

Before you panic, check the rest of the egg. If the white is runny, the shell is cracked, or there’s a strong, unpleasant odor, those are all red flags that the egg is bad, and you should throw it out. But if the yolk is just discolored and there’s no other sign of spoilage, you’re probably safe to eat it, although it might not be as fresh.

The Float Test

If you’re still unsure about the egg, you can try the float test. Fill a bowl with water and gently place the egg inside. Fresh eggs will sink to the bottom and lay flat on their sides. If the egg floats, that’s a strong sign it’s bad and should be discarded.

The Bottom Line: Trust Your Senses

Honestly, there’s no exact science when it comes to judging eggs solely by their yolk color. While a weirdly colored yolk (especially green or gray) is a sign the egg is bad, sometimes the egg is still safe to eat if it doesn’t smell or feel off. But in my experience, always trust your senses. If something feels or smells weird, don’t risk it.

Now, I’m curious—what’s the weirdest egg yolk you’ve ever come across? I’d love to hear your egg horror stories or any tips you have for checking the freshness of eggs!

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.