Eggs are a familiar food in every household, often bought in large quantities for gradual use. For modern families, the most common way to store eggs is in the refrigerator. However, even without one, you can still keep eggs fresh for a long time using simple traditional methods.

In the past, when modern appliances didn’t exist, our ancestors could still keep eggs fresh and tasty for an entire month. Let’s see how they did it!

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1. Preserving Eggs with Rice Husks

Rice husks — a byproduct of rice cultivation — were widely used in daily life. For people in the past, they were extremely useful: as cooking fuel, fertilizer, and even for food preservation.

To preserve eggs, they would spread a layer of rice husks at the bottom of a container, place eggs on top, and then cover them with another layer of husks. They repeated this process until all the eggs were covered.

The rice husks helped keep the eggs dry and protected them from air exposure. The container was stored in a cool, ventilated area. Whenever eggs were needed, they were taken out, and the remaining ones were covered again with dry husks.

After about two weeks, they would inspect all the eggs and gently rotate their positions — moving the ones at the bottom to the top.
👉 Tip: To prevent the yolk from sticking to the shell, place the wider end of the egg facing upward. Avoid laying the eggs flat or pointing the narrow end up.

In addition to rice husks, sawdust can also be used in the same way — just make sure it’s completely dry, as moisture can spoil the eggs.

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2. Preserving Eggs with Dried Grains

Another old-fashioned technique was to store clean chicken eggs together with dried grains such as black beans, red beans, soybeans, or corn.
These grains help absorb excess moisture and reduce air contact, allowing eggs to stay fresh for an extended period.

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3. Preserving Eggs in Lime Water

Mix powdered lime with clean water to create a 2–3% lime solution. Let it sit for about an hour so the residue settles at the bottom. Then, skim off the white film on the surface and pour out the clear lime water, discarding the sediment.

Gently place the eggs into a glass, ceramic, or plastic container, then pour the clear lime water over them until all the eggs are completely submerged.
⚠️ Note: Avoid using metal containers, as lime can react with metal and produce harmful substances.

Store the container in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight or heat.
With this method, eggs can stay fresh for up to six months.

Alternatively, you can make a 5% lime solution, soak the eggs in it for a few minutes, remove them, and let them air-dry naturally. Then, place them in a cool, ventilated area — this will keep your eggs fresh for about 3–4 months.

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4. Preserving Eggs with Dried Tea Leaves

You can also use dried tea leaves (from used tea grounds) to preserve eggs. The tea helps absorb moisture and limits air exposure.
Make sure the tea leaves are completely dry, as damp leaves can mold or rot and damage the eggs.

Layer the eggs and dried tea alternately, just like with rice husks or sawdust.

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5. Preserving Eggs with Rock Salt

Salt has antibacterial properties, making it a great natural preservative. To store eggs, bury them in dry rock salt.
This method can keep eggs fresh for several months, but the salt must be completely dry to be effective.

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6. Preserving Eggs with Sand or Rice Bran

Finally, using dry sand or rice bran is another traditional method. Simply layer the eggs alternately with dry sand or rice bran — just like with rice husks.
This keeps the eggs insulated, dry, and well-preserved for an extended time.