For me and I’m sure many other egg lovers, there’s a certain satisfaction in cracking an egg. Eggs are always on my menu, whether I’m making a simple fried rice dish for dinner or a fluffy omelet for morning. I usually purchase them from the store, packed in those familiar boxes, but sometimes I acquire them at the farmer’s market. As time went on, I came to understand that cracking the codes on these boxes is a necessity rather than just an interest.
Have you ever wondered what the numbers on an egg carton meant when you looked at them? Even though those numbers appear to be some sort of code, once you know what they stand for, they are quite simple to comprehend. So, let me to clarify, shall we?The Julian Date is the birthday of your egg.First, there is the three-digit code, which appears to be made up of a random assortment of digits. The Julian date is a reference to the precise day of the year that the eggs were packaged. There are 365 days in a Julian calendar. For example, the code 001 indicates that the eggs were graded on January 1st if you observe it on the carton. A 365 code denotes December 31st. Seems very straightforward, doesn’t it?I can still clearly remember my initial experience with this. As I was examining an egg carton in my kitchen, I had the impression of Sherlock Holmes cracking a case. “Well, these eggs date back to March 15th,” I mused to myself, feeling somewhat smug. It’s similar like having the password to a select group of ardent egg enthusiasts.The Source of Your Eggs: The Packaging Plant CodeYou might see a code next to the Julian date that starts with the letter “P.” This is the plant code, and it tells you where the eggs were processed. In the event that eggs are recalled, this information is quite helpful. Knowing the plant code can help you determine whether the recall applies to your particular carton. It is a minor detail, but it makes a big difference in guaranteeing the safety of the eggs you eat.Why This Is Important. I know you’re probably wondering why any of this matters. What use does it serve to know the plant code and the Julian date? Alright, let me clarify this for you.Due to salmonella infection, there was a massive egg recall a few years ago. I had bought a few cartons from the supermarket, so I can remember it like it was yesterday. I wondered if the eggs in my refrigerator were among those being recalled, and I started to panic. But then I recalled the Julian date and the plant code. When I looked around and saw they were safe, I sighed with relief.
Eggs Lose Their Freshness and Expiration Over Time
The way the eggs are handled to ensure freshness is another crucial aspect of these standards. As long as they are stored properly, eggs can be consumed up to 30 days after the date they were packaged. This is where the Julian date comes in handy.After I come home from the supermarket, I’ve developed the habit of looking up the Julian date. It resembles a little ceremony. I take note of the date, conduct a quick arithmetic calculation, and keep track of when to use them up. It’s an easy way to make sure I always have fresh eggs, which makes a big difference in the dish’s flavor.Safety and Quality: More Than Just DatesTo ensure that you receive the tastiest eggs, there’s more to it than just knowing the Julian date and plant code. If you’re looking for anything specific, you may also search for additional markings on the carton, such the USDA grade shield and the terms “pastured” or “organic.”The fact that eggs with the USDA grade mark have undergone quality inspection and meet specific requirements is another benefit of purchasing them. The best eggs, grade AA, have solid yolks and thick whites, making them ideal for poaching or frying. Even though Grade A eggs are marginally less solid than Grade AA eggs, they are still excellent for baking and cooking.
Pastured and Organic EggsIf you enjoy eggs from hens that are allowed to roam freely, you might want to search for phrases like “pastured” or “organic.” Chickens that are fed organic feed and do not receive antibiotics are the source of organic eggs. Eggs without cages are produced by hens that are free to roam around and consume real food, which enhances the flavor of the eggs.Allow me to explain how, for me, all of this information came to be. During a Saturday morning, I made an omelet. I reached for the egg carton, saw the Julian date printed on it, and was relieved to see that the eggs had only been packed a week before. They were flawless and fresh. I broke off a few and placed them in a bowl; their rich, orange yolks suggested that they were fresh.I continued whisking the mixture after adding some milk, salt, and freshly ground pepper. I cracked the eggs into the skillet after melting a dollop of butter and allowing it to froth. After the omelet rose beautifully, I folded it and topped it with the cheese and sautéed mushrooms. Because the eggs were so fresh, I’m confident that the omelet turned out to be the greatest I’d made in a long time.
Try to decipher the codes the next time you are holding an egg carton. Knowing the Julian date and the plant code is more than just information; it is a guarantee of the quality and safety of the eggs you eat. You may improve your egg talents by knowing what those numbers represent, whether you’re scrambling eggs in the morning or baking a cake in the evening.As it turns out, it’s a fun but tiny part of the culinary experience. Who wouldn’t want to have breakfast and learn something new?
Widower Is Barred from Boarding a Flight with His Newborn Baby, 82-Year-Old Meredith Helps Him — Story of the Day
A widowed man travels a long way to retrieve his newborn baby, but when he tries to return home with the child, he is refused entry into the plane.
Bob Hollis was running late. The 40-year-old had just received a call from a Florida hospital telling him a girl had just been born and he was listed as the father.
He would have discounted it as a prank, but he knew his wife was in Florida for a short holiday he organized for her while he renovated their home — it was a surprise.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels
The two had no kids of their own and had adopted three because adoption was something they both wanted to be involved in, so they needed to add more rooms to their house, which was why he was renovating.
Among the two, Bob was more particular about getting a foster child because he was one himself, and he had grown up promising himself to take in as many kids as he could.
“If I can help those kids grow up to be the best of themselves then I feel like I’ve made a huge difference,” he told his wife while they were discussing it.
Bob was also father to two grown kids whom he conceived while he was with his former wife, Ellen. The two went their separate ways after the woman decided to cheat with their pool boy, and she was caught.
He met his second wife, Mary, two years later, and after dating for several months, they got married. They tried to have kids but were unsuccessful, and this motivated them to look into adoption, but they never stopped trying to make babies.
One day, their persistence paid off, and Mary conceived a child. It was in preparation of the baby’s arrival that Bob decided to expand the house to include a nursery and an extra room.
After making the decision, he got Mary, who was due in two months, on a plane to Florida — a place she had always wanted to visit. But when she arrived in Florida, the woman immediately went into labor and was subsequently rushed to the hospital.
Unfortunately, she died during childbirth, so Bob was told that because the child was a newborn, it was necessary to fly out immediately. He packed his suitcases and flew to Florida to pick up her daughter.
When his plane landed, he rented a car and made his way to the hospital, where his wife had allegedly passed away.
The news of her death still ate at him, but he knew there would be time to grieve later, so he focused on bringing home their only child together.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Shutterstock
When he arrived at the hospital, he met with the volunteer at the intensive care unit, a woman who was 82 years old and recently widowed.
Her name was Mrs. Sticks, and she had things to tell Bob. “What happened?” he asked her as soon as he entered her office.
“Have a seat Mr. Hollis,” she said calmly.
“I’m better off standing, he replied.
“I’m sorry for your loss Mr. Hollis, but your wife suffered some complications giving birth to your child.”
At that, Bob cried bitterly, and Mrs. Sticks quietly watched him, choosing to let him grieve. After a few minutes, she cleared her throat and spoke.
“As I understand you have come for the child, but I have to make sure that you have what it takes to care for one,” Mrs. Sticks said.
Bob let her know that he was already a father and Mrs. Meredith Sticks nodded appreciatively as if to say, “You’ll do,” but she still gave him her phone number.
“Call me if you need anything,” she said. The kind woman also offered her new acquaintance a ride to the airport on the day of departure.
Things went on smoothly for Bob until it was time to board the plane. When he got to the boarding gate, the woman at the counter refused to let him through.
“Is this your child sir?” she asked.
“Of course she is,” he said.
“I’m sorry but she seems too young to be on an airplane. How old is she?”
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels
“She’s four days old. Now can I get through?” Bob said.
“I’m sorry sir, but you’ll have to present her birth certificate and wait till she is at least seven days old before traveling with her,” the woman said sternly.
“What’s this?” Bob asked angrily. “Are you saying I have to remain here for the next couple of days? I have no family here to stay with which is why I must get home today.”
“I’m sorry, it’s the policy,” the woman said and turned her attention to the next person in line.
Bob knew that it would take him quite some time to obtain the document but he also had nowhere to go in Florida and no one to ask for help.
He was preparing to spend the night at the airport when he remembered Mrs. Sticks, the kind woman from the medical center. He would rather not have bothered her, but he had no choice, and the night was quickly approaching.
“Hello Meredith,” he said. “I need your help.”
When Mrs. Sticks found out about Bob’s problem, she immediately promised to return to the airport and bring them to her home — it was an offer that astounded Bob, who knew he would most likely have refused to help if he was in her place.
“Compassion still thrives in this world,” he thought to himself.
Bob stayed at Mrs. Sticks’ house for more than a week before he returned to Texas. The woman didn’t just welcome Bob and his daughter into her home. She helped him cope with the newborn baby as well as the death of his wife by talking to him and comforting him. She even helped him arrange for the proper transportation of his wife’s body, making things easier for him.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels
The man could not believe how generous she was and would always call her a real angel — even his daughter seemed to love the woman because the girl would start to glow and giggle just from hearing the woman’s voice.
During his stay, Bob learned that the woman had four grown children, seven grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.
Together they looked after the baby, took relieving walks, and even went to honor the memory of Mrs. Sticks’ departed husband — activities that brought the two even closer.
The man saw in Mrs. Sticks his mother who had passed away a long time ago, and he knew he would miss her a lot when he flew home.
After receiving his daughter’s birth certificate, he was permitted to return home, but Bob continued to keep in touch with the old lady who had helped him.
He had no idea how things would have worked out without her, and he never forgot her kindness, so he visited her every year with his little daughter until she passed away a few years later.
A lawyer reached out to him at her funeral and told him that Mrs. Sticks had left him part of her inheritance, just like she did for her kids.
In honor of her kindness, Bob donated the money to a charity he founded together with her four kids, including her oldest daughter Shirley, whom he fell in love with due to constant exposure to her charms. Later, the two got married, and she became a mother to his six kids.
For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels
What did we gain from this story?
- Kindness leaves a lasting impression. Bob could never forget Mrs. Sticks, who was there for him in his difficult times. Her heart inspired him to found the charity organization, which was a way to share more kindness around.
- Imbibe the culture of giving back. Bob adopted three kids with his late wife because he was from a foster home himself and wanted to find a way to make the lives of kids in orphanages better. It is an act worthy of emulation.
Share this story with your friends. It might brighten their day and inspire them.
If you enjoyed this story, you might like this one about a young couple who bought a used car and found a wallet under the seat with an old photo inside.
This account is inspired by our reader’s story and written by a professional writer. Any resemblance to actual names or locations is purely coincidental. All images are for illustration purposes only. Share your story with us; maybe it will change someone’s life.
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