Think of them as tiny anchors holding the yolk in place.
They extend from opposite sides of the yolk and attach to the thicker layers of egg white.
So when you crack an egg and see a white, twisted strand next to the yolk, you’re not looking at mold, a worm, or something that means the egg has spoiled.
It’s simply part of the egg.
🍳 Does the Chalaza Mean the Egg Is Fresh?
A visible chalaza is often more noticeable in fresh eggs.
As an egg ages, the thick white gradually becomes thinner, and the chalaza may become less prominent.
So that strange-looking white string can actually be a good indication that you’re looking at a relatively fresh egg.
Of course, the chalaza alone isn’t a reliable freshness test. You should still check the egg for other signs of spoilage.
The chalaza helps keep the yolk centered inside the egg.
That matters because the yolk is delicate and needs to remain suspended rather than simply floating around inside the egg.
