Mercadona never ceases to surprise its consumers. Once again, the launch of a controversial product on the market has shaken the company again food of Juan Roig. In this case, the edible altercation does not have to do with protein-enriched foods, but with something much more common and grinding: a couple of grilled eggs.
The particularity of these Mercadona eggs is that they are already packaged and cooked, something that has surprised many consumers greatly. With a response of all kinds, the global response has been one of incomprehension of a product that, in fact, we did not believe was necessary in our diet.
What is the point of putting so much effort into creating such a product? Is it true that most human beings don’t even know how to prepare a fried egg?
The Mercadona egg is nothing new, actually
Joking aside, the truth is that this Mercadona ovoid product is not an absolute novelty. A similar invention has been known for two decades, which also caused amazement among many diners. We talk about the existence of frozen fried eggs, a product devised by a Spaniard in order to extend the useful life of food. And, above all, to facilitate its handling and safety in the field of hotels and restaurants.
In many caterers, hospital canteens and fast food chains, it is common to resort to this type of resource, since if eggs had to be prepared one by one, the logistics would be complicated. Furthermore, using this product that has already been heat treated we save a lot of food safety problems associated with pathogenic bacteria Salmonellacharacteristic of the egg.
Egg products in general —a term associated with these egg preparations and beyond Mercadona eggs— have been living with us in supermarkets for a long time, although in a more subtle way. Proof of this are the pasteurized egg whites and liquid yolks, which greatly facilitate work in the hospitality industry.
Useful for the consumer on foot?
However, we are talking about restoration. Making the leap with a similar product to the first line of consumption seems risky to say the least. Especially considering how easy it is to prepare a grilled egg in a matter of a few minutes in our kitchen. In the case of the Mercadona product, we are told that the ideal is to heat it in the microwave for 30-40 seconds. That is, we have to heat the product equally. Although the time is less, it does not seem to be a very relevant advantage. Conclusion: saving time that Mercadona grilled eggs provide it is tinyYou look at them where you are looking.
In addition, we continue to promote the excessive use of plastics in the food industry, which pose many environmental problems due to their difficult reuse. A controversial issue for years that in the future will continue adding changes to adapt to a new, more sustainable reality. As if that were not enough with all this, it turns out that the price does not help either. Mercadona’s grilled eggs cost a total of €1.80 per container, which contains a couple of eggs. Obviously the price goes through the roof compared to any other conventional range. But of course, innovation must be paid for. Logically it had to be more expensive.
The magic of food technology
Additionally, this Mercadona product has raised many doubts due to its long duration. How can it be that some packaged grilled eggs have a shelf life of close to two weeks? Its ingredients do not provide anything special: egg, extra virgin olive oil and sunflower oil. The key lies in three combined food technologies in the product:
- The heat treatment of the egg, subjected to a low temperature pasteurization to cook it but without the yolk getting to curdle. In this way we get a liquid and safe yolk for human consumption, free of pathogenic microorganisms.
- The vacuum packed that isolates the food completely from the environment and oxygen, reducing deterioration processes such as rancidity of fats.
- The cold storage at 4ºC that slows down the natural processes of deterioration in food. The cold always helps us to make food last longer in better conditions.
Despite this product assumes all an ode to food technology, the truth is that we should not be seduced by its innovative nature. It is a product that in general does not pose too many improvements for the bulk of the population. Although it can be very useful for people with mobility problems, facilitating tasks in the culinary field, the truth is that for most mortals it does not represent a considerable advantage over cooking a couple of grilled eggs using the standard method. lifelong.
However, it could become a useful resource in certain contexts where we are far from a kitchen. For example, to prepare a different meal at work if we enjoy the company of a good microwave.