Add salt and vinegar to the water before cooking.
The salt permeates the shell a little bit, and the vinegar helps to break down the shells, making them easier to peel.
While cooking poached eggs, adding a few drops of vinegar make the whites firm faster to prevent them from dispersing in the water and also keeps the nutrients intact.
"Vinegar is an inherently acidic material, so if we add a few drops of vinegar into that boiling water that is going to increase the rate of denaturing and it's going to make that happen faster and help the poached egg hold its shape better."
A boiling start for 30 seconds to a very gentle simmer for 13 minutes, then an ice bath at the end makes perfect, easy-to-peel hard-boiled eggs.
The fresher the eggs, the harder they are to peel. This is because the egg white or “albumen” in a fresh egg has a relatively low pH level, making it acidic. When cooked, these fresh egg whites bond strongly to the inner shell's membrane.
It can take 12-24 hours before a good portion of the shell is removed. A good sign of progress is a white frothy scummy layer on the top of the surface of the vinegar. After a day of soaking you can carefully remove the egg from the vinegar.
You do not need vinegar or salt. The secret to making hard boiled eggs that do not stick to the shell is to use older eggs! Ideally, eggs that are 10 days to 2 weeks old work best.
Vinegar is also a great agent to use when beating or whipping your eggs. The acetic acid content of the vinegar causes a reaction during the beating process which can literally cut it in half. It also helps to keep your egg whites fluffy for longer.
The acidic vinegar leaves the membrane that lines the inside of the shell intact. Some of the vinegar permeates the membrane due to osmosis, which is why the egg swells. If you shake the egg, you can see the yolk sloshing around in the white.
Place your eggs in a pot and cover with cold water by 1 inch. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then cover, remove from the heat and set aside 8 to 10 minutes. Drain, cool in ice water and peel.
Directions. First, bring 8 cups of water, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 cup of rice vinegar to a rolling boil. Then, using a spoon, carefully place about 8 large eggs into the water. Turn the heat down slightly and let boil for 14 minutes.
Instructions. First, bring 8 cups of water, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 cup of rice vinegar to a rolling boil. Then, using a spoon, carefully place about 8 large eggs into the water. Turn the heat down slightly and let boil for 14 minutes.
If you look closely at the egg while it's submerged in the vinegar, you can see bubbles forming on the surface. Those bubbles are full of carbon dioxide, just like the bubbles in a glass of soda. You're seeing a reaction between a compound in the eggshell (calcium carbonate) and an acid in the vinegar (acetic acid).
Once the eggs have cooked to your preferred time, use the skimmer to remove the eggs and immediately submerge them in the ice water bath to stop them from cooking. You'll let the eggs sit here for about 5 to 10 minutes before peeling.
The rapid cooling of the eggs contracts the egg whites, releasing them from the egg's membrane. It also firms the egg white proteins, making them easier to peel. Cool the eggs for at least 15 minutes for even easier peeling.
Give Eggs Time To Cool
The quick cooling of the hard-boiled eggs causes the egg whites to contract, freeing them from the membrane. If you let them cool for about 15 minutes, the peeling is much easier.
If you're still struggling, peel the eggs under cold running water, which will help separate the shell from the egg. For a more eco-friendly solution than keeping your tap running, you can just peel the eggs in a water bath. The water will have the same effect of slipping under the shell and helping dislodge the egg.
If you're wondering how to tell an egg is hard boiled, set it on the counter and give a quick spin. Once it's moving, tap your finger on it to stop the spinning. Eggs that are cooked will spin easily and rapidly and stop quickly.
Fill pot with water to completely cover the eggs at least 1 inch above eggs and turn heat to high. Bring water to a boil, takes approximately 15 minutes. As soon as eggs start to boil, let boil for 10-12 minutes (I do 11 minutes).
As soon as the water reaches a rapid boil, remove pan from heat and cover egg pan tightly with a lid. After 17 or 20 minutes (depending on size of your eggs), remove lid and drain off water from the eggs. Watch the time when cooking the eggs carefully. Overcooking causes a green layer to form around the yolk.
It's important to start the eggs in cold water — bringing the water and eggs up in temperature together ensures even cooking and prevents cracking. Bring the water to a rolling boil over high heat, then immediately remove the pan from the heat. Cover, and let stand for 10 minutes. Carefully pour out the hot water.