As an egg enthusiast, I love cracking eggs for omelets, baking, or fried rice. While I sometimes buy from farmer’s markets, most come from supermarkets with coded cartons. The three-digit **Julian date** indicates the packing day (e.g., 001 = January 1, 365 = December 31). The **plant code** (starting with ‘P’) identifies where eggs were processed—useful during recalls.

Stored properly, eggs stay fresh for up to 30 days from packing. I always check the Julian date for freshness. Look for the **USDA grade shield**—**Grade AA** eggs are best for frying or poaching, while **Grade A** eggs are slightly less firm but great for cooking