The white string you sometimes see in a cracked egg is called the chalaza (plural: chalazae).
🥚 What is the chalaza?
The chalaza is a thick, rope-like strand of egg white that anchors the yolk in the center of the egg. There are actually two of them — one on each side of the yolk.
Its job is to:
- Keep the yolk suspended
- Prevent the yolk from sticking to the shell
- Protect the developing embryo (in fertilized eggs)
🌟 Why it’s a good sign
A more visible, firmer chalaza usually means the egg is fresh.
Here’s why:
- In fresh eggs, the egg white (albumen) is thick and tight.
- The chalaza stands out more clearly.
- As eggs age, the white thins and the chalaza becomes less noticeable.
So if you crack an egg and see that little white string attached to the yolk, that’s actually a sign of quality and freshness.
❗ Is it safe to eat?
Yes — completely safe and edible.
Some people remove it for texture reasons in custards or very smooth recipes, but it’s harmless.
Quick freshness tip
If the egg white is thick and the yolk sits high and round (with a visible chalaza), it’s likely fresh. If the white spreads thin and the yolk flattens, it’s older.
If you’d like, I can also explain how to test egg freshness with water — it’s a neat kitchen trick.
