Here’s the breakdown:
🥚 How Five-Star Hotels Cook Eggs
1️⃣ Steam Instead of Boil
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Fill a pot with about 1 inch of water.
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Place a steamer basket with eggs over the water.
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Cover and steam:
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Soft-boiled: 6–7 minutes
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Medium: 8–9 minutes
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Hard-boiled: 10–12 minutes
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Advantages:
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Eggs cook evenly
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Shells are easier to peel
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Less cracking
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2️⃣ Shock in Ice Water
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Immediately transfer cooked eggs to an ice water bath for 5–10 minutes.
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Stops the cooking, keeps yolks tender, and makes peeling effortless.
3️⃣ Add a Pinch of Baking Soda or Vinegar (Optional)
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Some hotels add ½ tsp baking soda or 1 tsp vinegar to the water.
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This slightly changes the pH, making eggs super easy to peel.
4️⃣ Use Room-Temperature Eggs
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If eggs are straight from the fridge, let them sit 10–15 minutes.
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Reduces cracking and prevents rubbery whites.
5️⃣ Gentle Handling = Perfect Presentation
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Hotels often use ladles or spoons to lower eggs gently into water/steam.
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Ensures smooth shells without nicks.
Bonus Pro Tip
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Peel under running water: water gets between the shell and membrane for perfect results.
✅ Result: Creamy, tender yolks, no green rings, shells that come off in large pieces, and eggs that taste just like breakfast at a five-star hotel.
If you want, I can give a step-by-step “soft, jammy yolk” version that’s hotel-perfect every time, including timing for different altitudes.