Boiled egg facts for kids
A boiled egg is an egg cooked in its shell by heating it in water. It's a very common way to prepare eggs! If the shell breaks while cooking, it's usually called a poached egg. There are two main kinds of boiled eggs: hard-boiled and soft-boiled.
Hard-boiled eggs
Hard-boiled eggs are cooked completely through. This means the egg yolk becomes solid. You can eat them warm right after cooking, or chill them to eat cold later. They are often used in dishes like egg salad. Hard-boiled eggs can be kept in the refrigerator for a while. You can even use special tools called egg slicers to cut them easily.
Soft-boiled eggs
Soft-boiled eggs have firm egg whites, but their yolks are still runny or liquid. It's important to make sure they are prepared safely to avoid any harmful bacteria.
In Europe, soft-boiled eggs are a traditional breakfast food. People often scoop them out of the shell to eat. In Asia, soft-boiled eggs are sometimes cracked into a cup and mixed with soy sauce and black pepper.
To make a good soft-boiled egg, first bring water to a boil. Then, lower the heat so the water is simmering quickly. Carefully add the eggs to the pot and start timing. For one or two eggs, five minutes is usually perfect for a runny yolk. If you like the yolk a bit firmer but still spoonable, cook them for up to seven minutes.
Other egg dishes
Images for kids
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Boiled eggs, increasing in boiling time from left to right: 4 minutes, 7 minutes and 9 minutes
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Onsen tamago, a Japanese slow cook at a low temperature
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A boiled egg, presented in an egg cup
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An aspic with chicken and eggs
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A bowl of ramen topped with a seasoned boiled egg. (Note the darkened exterior of the egg).
See also
In Spanish: Huevo cocido para niños
