Cracking the Perfect Egg Cooking Technique: Alternating Heating Preserves Texture and Nutrition | WPN World People News

Scientists have recently published a study proposing an innovative technique for boiling eggs that ensures both the egg white and yolk reach their ideal doneness while preserving more nutrients. This study was published in the journal *Communications Engineering*.

Traditional egg boiling methods often struggle to balance the doneness of egg whites and yolks, as yolks begin to coagulate at around 65°C, whereas egg whites require approximately 85°C to fully solidify. Some chefs have used the sous vide method to slow-cook eggs at lower temperatures, but this approach may result in egg whites that do not fully set.

A research team from Italy utilized mathematical models and fluid dynamics simulations to identify the optimal egg-boiling technique. Their proposed solution is a "cyclical heating method," which involves alternating between two different water temperatures to ensure even heat distribution throughout the egg. They recommend preparing two pots of water—one at 100°C (boiling) and the other at approximately 30°C. The eggs are then transferred between the two pots every two minutes, repeating this process for 32 minutes.

This method allows the yolk to remain within the ideal temperature range while ensuring that the egg white cooks layer by layer. The study's results indicate that eggs boiled using this cyclic heating technique exhibit superior texture and nutritional value compared to traditional methods. The egg whites are more tender, resembling soft-boiled eggs, while the yolk has a smooth, creamy consistency. Additionally, nutritional analysis revealed that this method retains a higher level of polyphenols, which are believed to be beneficial to human health.

This study has also drawn the attention of food experts. Gregory Weiss, a chemist from the University of California, noted that this technique can be attempted at home as long as temperature and timing are carefully controlled to achieve the perfect egg. However, some scientists pointed out that similar techniques had been proposed in the past, though this study provides more comprehensive data to support its effectiveness.

Although this egg-boiling method is more time-consuming, the research team believes that for those who seek the ultimate balance of taste and nutrition, it is well worth the effort. They suggest that the findings of this study could inspire new directions in food science and potentially revolutionize one of the most common cooking methods in the kitchen.