Eggs can be good well past the date on the carton if kept refrigerated. Here's how to tell if eggs are fresh even after that "best by" date has sailed by: Fill a bowl with water, and carefully place an egg on top. If the egg sinks like a stone, laying down on its side — it's still very fresh. If it sinks but doesn't lay flat, the egg is still okay and probably just right for hard-boiling. If the egg floats on the top, that's an indication that the egg is possibly past its prime. Obviously, if you crack open an egg and it smells bad, it's fit for the garbage. You can also judge freshness by looking for a bright orange yolk and whites that are springy.