Boiled eggs are eggs, typically from a chicken, cooked with their shells unbroken, usually by immersion in boiling water. Hard-boiled eggs are cooked so that the egg white and egg yolk both solidify, while soft-boiled eggs may leave the yolk, and sometimes the white, at least partially liquid and raw. Boiled eggs are a popular breakfast food around the world.
A soft-boiled egg served in the half shell
Boiled eggs, increasing in boiling time from left to right: 4 minutes, 7 minutes and 9 minutes
Onsen tamago, a Japanese slow cook at a low temperature
A boiled egg, presented in an egg cup
Humans and their hominid relatives have consumed eggs for millions of years. The most widely consumed eggs are those of fowl, especially chickens. People in Southeast Asia began harvesting chicken eggs for food by 1500 BCE. Eggs of other birds, such as ducks and ostriches, are eaten regularly but much less commonly than those of chickens. People may also eat the eggs of reptiles, amphibians, and fish. Fish eggs consumed as food are known as roe or caviar.
Fried eggs and carrots with Parmesan and cream
Ancient Egyptian depictions of offerings at the tomb of Menna, including a basket of eggs
Quail eggs (upper left), chicken egg (lower left), and ostrich egg (right)
Collected chicken eggs and quail eggs in a wicker basket
