In this brief article, we answer the question “Is meringue safe to eat?” We will also discuss the types of meringue that are safe to eat and the best ways of preparing meringue.
Is meringue safe to eat?
Yes, meringue is safe to eat. The safety of meringue depends on the method of preparation. Consuming raw meringue can easily make you sick because poultry eggs can contain salmonella and if consumed uncooked or raw it can lead to food poisoning or salmonella.
This can be followed by symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Salmonella can get into the eggs through egg white through the yolk which in most cases contains bacteria. It is therefore recommended to consume cooked meringue
meringue powder is a better alternative because the egg whites are pasteurized, ground, and dried to make meringue powder which contains preservatives and sweeteners such as citric acid, calcium sulfate, gum arabic, and silicon dioxide which prevents clumping of the powder.
What are the safe ways of preparing meringues?
The best ways of preparing meringue are either baking them or pasteurizing the egg whites. There are two ways you can ensure that the egg is cooked to a temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Which includes baking and boiling or adding hot syrup to the eggs.
Moreover, recipes that call for the heating of meringue are considered safe because salmonella does not survive in high temperatures.
Does meringue go bad?
Yes, meringue does go bad after 5 days of storage in the refrigerator. This also depends on the recipe used. For example, baked meringue can last up to 3 weeks at room temperature while raw meringue can last for 3 days in the refrigerator.
Meringue powder on the other hand has a shelf life of 2 years because of the added preservatives and also reduces moisture content through drying
Which types of meringue are safe to eat?
Swiss meringue and Italian meringue are considered safe because they undergo heating. French meringue on the other hand remains uncooked because it is not exposed to heat.
Swiss meringue is cooked using a double boiler which ensures that the egg white is well cooked while Italian meringue has added hot syrup which ensures the egg is cooked as the meringue is being created. French meringue entails only mixing egg white with sugar to dissolve without cooking it.
What happens if you eat unsafe or raw meringue?
Eating unsafe meringues can cause digestive discomfort due to food poisoning as a result of bacteria infections causing symptoms such as diarrhea which makes you dehydrated. Ba meringue can also cause a slight fever, nausea, and abdominal cramps.
Also, it is best to properly store meringue to avoid mold growth. Whipped eggs should not be left at room temperature for more than an hour because they are more susceptible to bacterial growth.
Conclusion
In this brief article, we have answered the question “Is meringue safe to eat?” We have also discussed whether meringue goes bad and safe ways of preparing meringue.
Hope you find this article helpful, in case of any questions, please let us know.
