Banish the greenish ring:
This harmless but unsightly discoloration that sometimes forms around hard-boiled yolks results from a reaction between sulfur in the egg white and iron in the yolk. It occurs when eggs have been cooked for too long or at too high a temperature. Our method - cooking eggs in hot, not boiling water, then cooling immediately - minimizes the greenish ring from appearing.

Food safety precaution:
Piercing shells before cooking is not recommended. If not sterile, the piercer or needle can introduce bacteria into the egg. Also, piercing creates hairline cracks in the shell, through which bacteria can enter after cooking.

Never microwave eggs in shells!
Steam builds up too quickly inside and eggs are likely to explode.

Very fresh eggs can be difficult to peel. To ensure easily peeled eggs, buy and refrigerate them a week to 10 days in advance of cooking. This brief "breather" allows the eggs time to take in air, which helps separate the membranes from the shell.

Hard boiled eggs are easiest to peel right after cooling. Cooling causes the egg to contract slightly in the shell.

To peel a hard boiled egg:
Gently tap egg on countertop until shell is finely crackled all over. Roll egg between hands to loosen shell. Starting peeling at large end, holding egg under cold running water to help ease the shell off.

Hard boiled eggs storage time:
In the shell, hard boiled eggs can be refrigerated safely up to one week. Refrigerate in their original carton to prevent odor absorption. Once peeled, eggs should be eaten that day.

High altitude cooking:
It's almost impossible to hard-cook eggs above 10,000 feet.

Recipe and Image provided on behalf of the Incredible Edible Egg. For more egg recipes and nutrition information, please visit IncredibleEgg.org

Please note that some ingredients and brands may not be available in every store.