What Is That White String in an Egg

What Is That White String in an Egg …Here’s Why It’s Actually a Good Sign

When you crack open an egg, you might notice a thin, white, stringy strand attached to the yolk. At first glance, it can look strange—or even a little concerning. Many people assume it means the egg has gone bad or is defective and remove it before cooking.

In reality, that strand is completely normal, harmless, and often a sign that the egg is fresh.

Meet the Chalaza: The Egg’s Natural Stabilizer

That white string is called the chalaza, a naturally occurring protein structure found inside eggs. Its job is to keep the yolk centered within the egg white.

Think of the chalaza as a built-in stabilizer. As the egg moves, it prevents the yolk from bumping into the shell and becoming damaged. Most eggs contain two chalazae—one on each side of the yolk—though only one may be clearly visible after cracking the shell.