02 · Core skills

Separate whites and yolks

Keep whites free of yolk for strong foams and keep yolks whole for sauces, curing or careful cooking.

01

Cold eggs are easier to divide

A chilled yolk is firmer and its membrane is less likely to break. Separate eggs while cold, then allow the portions to warm only if the recipe benefits from it. Set out three bowls: working white, yolks and completed whites.

02

Choose a method to suit the job

Passing the yolk between shell halves is quick, while clean fingers give good control and reduce the chance of a sharp shell cutting the yolk. A separator is useful for volume. Work over the small bowl so one broken yolk does not spoil all the whites.

03

Know how clean is clean enough

A trace of white in a yolk rarely matters. For meringue, however, even a little yolk fat can reduce foam volume. Transfer each clean white to the main bowl before starting the next egg.

Read the result

What good looks like

  • No visible yolk in whites intended for foaming
  • Yolks remain rounded and unbroken
  • No shell edges or fragments in either bowl

Troubleshooting

Two useful corrections

Yolk enters the whites

For meringue, reserve that white for another dish and start the foam bowl again cleanly.

White clings to the yolk

Let the yolk rest in loosely cupped fingers and gently open the gaps.

Safety point

Use clean hands and equipment. Store separated raw eggs covered and chilled, and follow the local or product-specific time limit.

International egg-safety guidance →

Put it into practice

Recipes that use this skill

Fresh mayonnaiseBasic crisp meringue