Why would an egg yolk turn black?
Daniel Martin
Published Jan 13, 2026
The ring is caused by a chemical reaction involving sulfur (from the egg white) and iron (from the egg yolk), which naturally react to form ferrous sulfide at the surface of the yolk. The reaction is usually caused by overcooking, but can also be caused by a high amount of iron in the cooking water.
Why did my egg yolk come out black?
Eggs with blood and meat spots are safe to eat when prepared properly. Blood or meat spots are caused by the rupture of a small blood vessel around the yolk at the time of ovulation, or the presence of tissue during egg formation in the hen. A double yolk is not only perfectly safe but said to be good luck.Is it OK if my yolk is black?
Blood spots are droplets of blood sometimes found on the surface of egg yolks. Although egg producers consider them a defect, blood spots form naturally during the egg-laying cycle in some hens. Contrary to popular belief, they do not indicate that an egg has been fertilized.Can you eat black eggs?
The black eggs, commonly called Kuro-Tamago by the locals, are perfectly safe, although they may smell like sulfur. In fact, eating them is believed to add a few years to your life span – on average, five to seven years!What is a egg black egg?
Incredible Black Eggs of HakoneKuro-tamago, literally “black eggs,” are regular chicken eggs boiled in Owakudani's natural hot springs. The sulfur in the water turns the eggshells as black as charcoal. According to local lore, eating one egg will add seven years to your life.