Separate an Egg

Separating an egg white from the yoke is not a difficult task. It can be easily done WITHOUT any gadgets.

A few simple actions and knowing what to do are all that is needed:

First start with a glass bowl or preferably a measuring cup with a reasonably sharp edge(The rolled edge of metal bowls tend to crush the shell rather then cracking it.)

Taking the egg in your fingers and tap it at a 45 deg. angle against the inner edge of the rim. We are trying to produce a crack, not crush the shell or break it in half.

Next, take the cracked egg in both hands, using your thumbs, start to separate the shell halves. When it starts to open turn the egg upright so as to capture the yoke in the lower half of the shell. Completely separate the top half and let the white run into the bowl or cup.

Now take the top half and hold it open side up over the bowl and slowly pour the white out of the bottom half. As the yoke approaches the shell edge, quickly pour it into the lower shell so it does not touch the edge (The yoke will break if it touches the edge of the shell).

Once again repeat this process until most of the white is in the bowl below.

It sounds a lot more complex then it is. Often time’s eggs go on sale for less then $0.99 a dozen or that become out dated. Buy a dozen and just practice – you’ll be surprised at how easy it really is.

Two points to keep in mind – try to crack the shell at the middle and pry it open gently.

Don’t smack it hard against the edge – we want a crack, not a shattered shell.

Do not let any of the egg yoke fall into the bowl or cup if you plan to beat the whites. The presence of the yoke will keep the whites from whipping properly.

PS my wife adds that you can remove parts of the yoke from the bowl with the sharp edge of the shell, also any chips of shell that might fall in.