While we’re not going to pretend we’re culinary wizards, the ‘perfect’ boiled egg shouldn’t take more than six minutes in our eyes.
If you want a soft egg to dip your toast soldiers in, we always assumed five minutes was ideal, while jammy eggs are the six-minute mark, and 10 minutes if you’re a hard-boiled fan.
Get ready to throw the cookbook out of the window, because according to ‘scientists’, the perfect boiled egg should be left to stew for over half an hour.
Up there with cooking beans on toast, boiling an egg should be a culinary staple that is one of the first tasks we’re taught.
The sous vide method takes even longer to make eggs (Jonathan Knowles / Getty)The sous vide method takes even longer to make eggs (Jonathan Knowles / Getty)
The sous vide method takes even longer to make eggs (Jonathan Knowles / Getty)
Still, it’s surprising how many people get boiling an egg wrong, leading to either a snotty mess or rubbery balls that could do some serious damage if thrown at someone’s head.
As for the out-there idea that eggs should be boiled for 32 minutes, Nature.com reports how material engineers in Italy apparently ‘cracked’ their way through 300 eggs in a quest to find the perfect way to prepare them in their shells.
Similar articles to this
Powered by
Mantis Logo
Find more about Supercomputer makes worrying prediction for how long humans will survive on Earth
Supercomputer makes worrying prediction for how long humans will survive on Earth
Supercomputer makes worrying prediction for how long humans will survive on Earth
Find more about People are deeply disturbed after seeing what kidney stones look like under a microscope
People are deeply disturbed after seeing what kidney stones look like under a microscope
People are deeply disturbed after seeing what kidney stones look like under a microscope
Find more about New study reveals worrying link between vaping and these life threatening diseases
New study reveals worrying link between vaping and these life threatening diseases
New study reveals worrying link between vaping and these life threatening diseases
Find more about Scientists discover new bat coronavirus in China that sparks pandemic fears
Scientists discover new bat coronavirus in China that sparks pandemic fears
Scientists discover new bat coronavirus in China that sparks pandemic fears
Find more about Major volcano threatening 90,000 people could erupt cause catastrophic damage in just 30 minutes
Major volcano threatening 90,000 people could erupt cause catastrophic damage in just 30 minutes
Major volcano threatening 90,000 people could erupt cause catastrophic damage in just 30 minutes
Find more about Fascinating sea that doesn’t touch any land is home to one of humanity’s most shameful sites
Fascinating sea that doesn’t touch any land is home to one of humanity’s most shameful sites
Fascinating sea that doesn’t touch any land is home to one of humanity’s most shameful sites
Find more about Scientists make remarkable discovery that could be proof that the soul exists
Scientists make remarkable discovery that could be proof that the soul exists
Scientists make remarkable discovery that could be proof that the soul exists
Find more about Tragic fate of dolphin after it formed ‘intimate’ relationship with its trainer during NASA-funded experiment
Tragic fate of dolphin after it formed ‘intimate’ relationship with its trainer during NASA-funded experiment
Tragic fate of dolphin after it formed ‘intimate’ relationship with its trainer during NASA-funded experiment
Find more about NASA-funded experiment was forced to stop after woman formed ‘sensuous’ relationship with dolphin
NASA-funded experiment was forced to stop after woman formed ‘sensuous’ relationship with dolphin
NASA-funded experiment was forced to stop after woman formed ‘sensuous’ relationship with dolphin
Find more about Biohacker trying to ‘live forever’ injected ketamine and tracked his brain data for 15 days to find shocking results
Biohacker trying to ‘live forever’ injected ketamine and tracked his brain data for 15 days to find shocking results
Biohacker trying to ‘live forever’ injected ketamine and tracked his brain data for 15 days to find shocking results
Find more about Doctors issue warning over noise-canceling headphones as they’re linked to rise in brain condition
Doctors issue warning over noise-canceling headphones as they’re linked to rise in brain condition
Doctors issue warning over noise-canceling headphones as they’re linked to rise in brain condition
Find more about Scientists on high alert as threat levels for three US volcanos have risen to suggest eruptions may be unavoidable
Scientists on high alert as threat levels for three US volcanos have risen to suggest eruptions may be unavoidable
Scientists on high alert as threat levels for three US volcanos have risen to suggest eruptions may be unavoidable
Find more about New research reveals what the Arctic will look like by 2100 if climate change continues and it’s not good
New research reveals what the Arctic will look like by 2100 if climate change continues and it’s not good
New research reveals what the Arctic will look like by 2100 if climate change continues and it’s not good
Find more about Former James Bond star raises ‘concerns’ over $1,000,000,000 Amazon deal to purchase the franchise
Former James Bond star raises ‘concerns’ over $1,000,000,000 Amazon deal to purchase the franchise
Former James Bond star raises ‘concerns’ over $1,000,000,000 Amazon deal to purchase the franchise
Find more about People in disbelief at ‘insane’ Grok 3 ‘Sexy Mode’ that’s shockingly x-rated
People in disbelief at ‘insane’ Grok 3 ‘Sexy Mode’ that’s shockingly x-rated
People in disbelief at ‘insane’ Grok 3 ‘Sexy Mode’ that’s shockingly x-rated
Find more about People brand Melania Trump’s meme coin ‘disgusting’ after realizing how much it’s worth after a month
People brand Melania Trump’s meme coin ‘disgusting’ after realizing how much it’s worth after a month
People brand Melania Trump’s meme coin ‘disgusting’ after realizing how much it’s worth after a month
Find more about Disturbing NSFW AI video of Elon Musk and Donald Trump projected onto screens in government offices
Disturbing NSFW AI video of Elon Musk and Donald Trump projected onto screens in government offices
Disturbing NSFW AI video of Elon Musk and Donald Trump projected onto screens in government offices
Find more about Netflix de-throned for first time ever by new rival streaming package
Netflix de-throned for first time ever by new rival streaming package
Netflix de-throned for first time ever by new rival streaming package
Find more about Elon Musk calls out ‘Scam Altman’ in response to OpenAI CEO saying he has ‘no equity’ in the organization
Elon Musk calls out ‘Scam Altman’ in response to OpenAI CEO saying he has ‘no equity’ in the organization
Elon Musk calls out ‘Scam Altman’ in response to OpenAI CEO saying he has ‘no equity’ in the organization
Find more about Major bank to eliminate 4,000 roles over next three years AI replaces humans
Major bank to eliminate 4,000 roles over next three years AI replaces humans
Major bank to eliminate 4,000 roles over next three years AI replaces humans
Find more about Supercomputer makes worrying prediction for how long humans will survive on Earth
Supercomputer makes worrying prediction for how long humans will survive on Earth
Supercomputer makes worrying prediction for how long humans will survive on Earth
Find more about People are deeply disturbed after seeing what kidney stones look like under a microscope
People are deeply disturbed after seeing what kidney stones look like under a microscope
People are deeply disturbed after seeing what kidney stones look like under a microscope
Find more about New study reveals worrying link between vaping and these life threatening diseases
New study reveals worrying link between vaping and these life threatening diseases
New study reveals worrying link between vaping and these life threatening diseases
Find more about Scientists discover new bat coronavirus in China that sparks pandemic fears
Scientists discover new bat coronavirus in China that sparks pandemic fears
Scientists discover new bat coronavirus in China that sparks pandemic fears
Find more about Major volcano threatening 90,000 people could erupt cause catastrophic damage in just 30 minutes
Major volcano threatening 90,000 people could erupt cause catastrophic damage in just 30 minutes
Major volcano threatening 90,000 people could erupt cause catastrophic damage in just 30 minutes
Find more about Fascinating sea that doesn’t touch any land is home to one of humanity’s most shameful sites
Fascinating sea that doesn’t touch any land is home to one of humanity’s most shameful sites
Fascinating sea that doesn’t touch any land is home to one of humanity’s most shameful sites
Find more about Scientists make remarkable discovery that could be proof that the soul exists
Scientists make remarkable discovery that could be proof that the soul exists
Scientists make remarkable discovery that could be proof that the soul exists
Find more about Tragic fate of dolphin after it formed ‘intimate’ relationship with its trainer during NASA-funded experiment
Tragic fate of dolphin after it formed ‘intimate’ relationship with its trainer during NASA-funded experiment
Tragic fate of dolphin after it formed ‘intimate’ relationship with its trainer during NASA-funded experiment
Find more about NASA-funded experiment was forced to stop after woman formed ‘sensuous’ relationship with dolphin
NASA-funded experiment was forced to stop after woman formed ‘sensuous’ relationship with dolphin
NASA-funded experiment was forced to stop after woman formed ‘sensuous’ relationship with dolphin
Find more about Biohacker trying to ‘live forever’ injected ketamine and tracked his brain data for 15 days to find shocking results
Biohacker trying to ‘live forever’ injected ketamine and tracked his brain data for 15 days to find shocking results
Biohacker trying to ‘live forever’ injected ketamine and tracked his brain data for 15 days to find shocking results
Find more about Doctors issue warning over noise-canceling headphones as they’re linked to rise in brain condition
Doctors issue warning over noise-canceling headphones as they’re linked to rise in brain condition
Doctors issue warning over noise-canceling headphones as they’re linked to rise in brain condition
We’ll warn you that while this is no quick egg that you can chuck in a pan of boiling water and come back to when it’s cooked to your liking, we’re told it’s the right way to get the ‘perfect’ egg.
To get the perfect egg, you have to switch your egg eight times between a pan of boiling water and a bowl of cold water.
Experts say this alleviates the problem of having a runny yolk paired with an undercooked egg white, or a cooked white and rock-hard yolk.
Dr. Ernesto Di Maio is a senior author of the study from the University of Naples Federico II, claiming that his team managed to get the white to the ideal 85°C (185°F) and the yolk to an optimal 65°C (149°F).
Although he usually works with plastics, the Daily Mail explains how he turned his home kitchen into its very own egg laboratory where he cooked all 300 of them.
The idea is to bring the water to a boil and then add your egg for two minutes, take it out, and then add it to a bowl of cold water sitting at exactly 30°C for a further two minutes.
The ‘perfect’ egg apparently requires a lot of work (nature.com / Ernesto Di Maio)The ‘perfect’ egg apparently requires a lot of work (nature.com / Ernesto Di Maio)
The ‘perfect’ egg apparently requires a lot of work (nature.com / Ernesto Di Maio)
The perfect egg means you put it back in the boiling water for two minutes, back into the 30°C water for two minutes, and repeat the process six more times.
Hyping his own methods, Di Maio explained: “I thought the techniques we use in materials science could produce the perfect egg, and the result really is exquisite.
“I have converted 50 of my family and friends to preferring eggs made this way, and they were served up with lemon and pepper at our laboratory Christmas party.”
Addressing the obvious issue of how long it takes, Di Maio added: “It may take 32 minutes to make this type of egg, and I understand many people won’t have the time, but I personally think it is worth it for the people you love, rather than cooking them eggs in the wrong way.”
While Di Maio says his new method improves on the already popular sous vide egg (which takes an hour), it’s still not strong to sit in an egg cup and dip your soldiers in.
It might be worth checking out these seemingly mad methods if you’re planning on opening up a Michelin star restaurant, but for most of us, simply throwing it in a pan of boiling water for our usual number of minutes will do just fine.
Featured Image Credit: Laurie Ambrose / Getty
Science