Storing Eggs Pointy End Down?

[Patinas]

I have had my flock for 8 months now and the other day a friend sent me the following post from Lisa Steele's site:

http://www.fresheggsdaily.com/2015/01/why-should-eggs-be-stored-pointy-end.html

I had never heard this before! I have always stored mine pointy side up since that's how they are when you buy them at the store so I figured that was correct. Never actually thought about it before.

After reading about this, I am switching to pointy end down. I've asked several people in the last couple days if they have ever heard of this and they all said they had never heard of it either.

Makes me wonder, why does the commercial egg industry always package eggs pointy side up? Do they have studies showing consumers view pointy side up eggs in cartons as more appealing? Is it simply because that's how the packaging machines put them in the cartons?

One reason I came up with is that maybe it's because it is easier to pull them out of the carton from the pointy end vs. the blunt end?

Must be a reason why they package them pointy end up? Anyone know the answer?

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Makes me wonder, why does the commercial egg industry always package eggs pointy side up?

I've NEVER seen commercial eggs pointy side up, they are always down. It's been a few years, maybe I better go look at the egg section in the store.

I always store pointy side down. I didn't check the link, but that is also what other links I've read say and my understanding it is the best way to preserve the air pocket which is very important when breeding/hatching. My eating eggs will last more than 6 months unwashed in the fridge.

I thought it was common knowledge. But I got eggs from another local for one of customers because of my recent flock reduction, and hers were pointy side up. So I just let her know the other way was better to preserve freshness, and she thanked me. Now you are helping to spread the knowledge to others who might not know.

But ya... always pointy side down when I bought them at the store many years ago. And that is why mine have always been pointy side down as well. I figured they new something I didn't. But how strange that you see pointy side up. I wonder which companies..

Incidentally keeping the bloom in tact and not washing also preserves freshness for longer. I keep my boxes clean and just wipe eggs with a dry cloth to remove any dust. Any that get too yucky looking get fed back to the animals instead of going into the carton.

 

[Bonniebooboo]

That is pretty interesting. I have Never heard of storing pointy end up. All eggs sold around here in the stores have always been pointy end down. Especially for hatching as the air cell is at the large end and the chicks head should be at that end in order to turn and pip/zip out of the egg when ready to hatch. more room for their head and shoulders to do the work of turning to break out of the egg.

 

[The Moonshiner]

Where you buying your eggs from?
Never seen or heard of any eggs being stored or sold pointy side up.

 

[Bonniebooboo]

I read the article and it is good. Informative and what I can tell is a truthful article. Go with it.

 

[Smuvers Farm]

As I recall, eggs I bought from the store were always pointy end up too!!! so, you aren't nuts btw...... It MIGHT be, we see them as pointy side up as the eggs are sized and cleaned up and are almost a perfect oval?

 

[HattieScratchy]

I need ever noticed them stored either way before I got chickens.. and then I wasnt paying attention to how I stored them myself. I did know they could be stored on the counter as long as I didn't wash them... I was told from a local chicken group about storing them down but still never knew why.. guess I know now lol. thanks for the link!

 

[Li'lFlock]

Every grocer I have ever purchased from has had them pointy side up. Maybe it’s a machine processing thing?

 

[rosemarythyme]

I store mine pointy end down, couldn't remember the reason why (other than they do fit better in a ceramic or plastic tray like that, the blunt end is sometimes too round), but that was a good read to remind me!

 

[aart]

One reason I came up with is that maybe it's because it is easier to pull them out of the carton from the pointy end vs. the blunt end?

Actually heard from an egg producer that the chefs chewed them out for cartoning pointy side down as they are harder to grab that way...I tested and chefs are correct.

It's been a few years, maybe I better go look at the egg section in the store.

Me too.

Maybe it’s a machine processing thing?

Good thought.