You’ve been buying cartons of 18 eggs because they’re more economical, but how long do they stay fresh?

Australian Farmers says there’s a quick and fun test to tell whether an egg is still fresh.

Pop the egg in a bowl of water. A fresh egg will stay at the bottom of the bowl while an older egg will float because of the large air cell in its base.

So should you throw out eggs that float? Not so fast, says Australian Farmers.

It says older eggs are ideal for baking cakes, quiches and frittatas. They’re also perfect for hard-boiling, scrambling and making omelettes. “When hard-boiling, it’s actually better to use eggs that are a little bit older because the white is less likely to stick to the shell,” it says. “Fresher eggs are better for poaching and frying because they hold their shape.”

Fresh eggs can be kept refrigerated for up to six weeks but always check the use-by date displayed on the carton. And put your eggs in the fridge as soon as you get them home.

Do you diligently follow the use-by advice on eggs? Do you have any other tips about eggs?