Ever boiled eggs and noticed a strange greenish-gray ring around the yolk? Don’t worry — it’s not mold, and it doesn’t mean your eggs have gone bad.

That green ring is actually caused by overcooking. When eggs are boiled too long, the sulfur in the egg white reacts with the iron in the yolk, forming ferrous sulfide — the substance responsible for that greenish tint.

So, is it safe to eat?
Yes. Eggs with a green ring are still completely safe to eat. The texture might be slightly chalkier, but there’s nothing harmful about it.

If you want to avoid the ring and keep your yolks bright yellow, try this:

• Boil your eggs for 9 to 12 minutes, depending on size.
• After boiling, immediately place them in an ice water bath to stop the cooking process.

Now you know — it’s just science, not spoilage!