# America and egg cups **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 10, 2017, 9:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/america-and-egg-cups/790904 "2017-07-10T09:21:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2017, 9:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/america-and-egg-cups/790904/1 "2017-07-10T09:21:06Z")
Americans: British twitter is this morning reeling about claims that egg cups are not in common use in the United States. Can you confirm/deny? If confirm: how do you eat soft-boiled eggs? ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2017, 10:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/america-and-egg-cups/790904/2 "2017-07-10T10:25:48Z")
> [@Baron\_Greenback](#): > > Americans: British twitter is this morning reeling about claims that egg cups are not in common use in the United States. > > Can you confirm/deny? > > If confirm: how do you eat soft-boiled eggs? Confirmed. Soft boiled eggs are a rarity here. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2017, 10:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/america-and-egg-cups/790904/3 "2017-07-10T10:29:40Z")
I’ve never used an egg cup–_or_ eaten a soft-boiled egg. ---
**Author:** ![tim314](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim314/32/3468_2.png) [@tim314](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tim314)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2017, 10:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/america-and-egg-cups/790904/4 "2017-07-10T10:31:13Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Confirmed. Soft boiled eggs are a rarity here. Indeed. I’ve had hard-boiled eggs, deviled eggs, poached eggs, fried eggs over easy and sunny-side up, scrambled eggs, omelets, and probably a few other ways I’m forgetting… but I don’t believe I’ve ever had a soft boiled egg, or eaten an egg from a cup. ---
**Author:** ![tim314](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim314/32/3468_2.png) [@tim314](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tim314)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2017, 10:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/america-and-egg-cups/790904/5 "2017-07-10T10:34:25Z")
Oh, and I’ve had those sous-vide egg things they serve at Starbucks, if that even counts.😛 ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2017, 10:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/america-and-egg-cups/790904/6 "2017-07-10T10:39:02Z")
I’ve only seen egg cups in pictures. And the only times I’ve had soft-boiled eggs, I’ve had them over toast. ---
**Author:** ![jtur88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e9c0ed/32.png) [@jtur88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtur88)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2017, 10:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/america-and-egg-cups/790904/7 "2017-07-10T10:47:24Z")
The first time I encountered al soft-boiled egg in an egg-cup in Norway, my South African travel companions had to show me how the hell to teat the damned thing. It seems that a special cup, a special serrated knife and a special spoon were necessary, each designed and manufactured for that unique purpose, simply because the thing hadn’t been left in the hot water long enough. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2017, 10:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/america-and-egg-cups/790904/8 "2017-07-10T10:52:17Z")
What’s an egg cup? ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2017, 10:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/america-and-egg-cups/790904/9 "2017-07-10T10:54:32Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Confirmed. Soft boiled eggs are a rarity here. One of life’s simple pleasures is dipping buttered toast - cut into strips, and known as “soldiers” - into a soft-boiled egg. I guess the US doesn’t need egg-timers then? ---
**Author:** ![Isamu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/7c8e57/32.png) [@Isamu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isamu)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2017, 10:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/america-and-egg-cups/790904/10 "2017-07-10T10:54:57Z")
I’m not American but I grew up with egg cups. A damn hassle if you ask me. Just peel the soft boiled egg and put it on an English muffin. Delish. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2017, 10:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/america-and-egg-cups/790904/11 "2017-07-10T10:56:12Z")
American who likes eggs just fine, but has never used an egg cup – or personally seen one in actual use, either; they’re like, uh, monocles, or cigarette holders. ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2017, 10:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/america-and-egg-cups/790904/12 "2017-07-10T10:56:53Z")
> [@bobot](#): > > What’s an egg cup? [Here’s a good pic](https://144f2a3a2f948f23fc61-ca525f0a2beaec3e91ca498facd51f15.ssl.cf3.rackcdn.com/uploads/food_portal_data/recipes/recipe/hero_article_image/41/compressed_resizeimage593x426xIPqJzI17Qw.jpg) which also includes the afore-mentioned soldiers. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2017, 10:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/america-and-egg-cups/790904/13 "2017-07-10T10:57:34Z")
> [@Baron\_Greenback](#): > > Americans: British twitter is this morning reeling about claims that egg cups are not in common use in the United States. > > Can you confirm/deny? > > If confirm: how do you eat soft-boiled eggs? I don’t. Why do you lot always act so shocked that we don’t do things exactly the same over her? I’m serious, it’s getting a little grating. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2017, 10:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/america-and-egg-cups/790904/14 "2017-07-10T10:59:32Z")
As a non-American I find this so surprising. I grew up on soft-boiled eggs. An utter delight, satisfying a unique craving. Sometimes that’s very specifically all I want to eat. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2017, 11:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/america-and-egg-cups/790904/15 "2017-07-10T11:00:33Z")
> [@Baron\_Greenback](#): > > [Here’s a good pic](https://144f2a3a2f948f23fc61-ca525f0a2beaec3e91ca498facd51f15.ssl.cf3.rackcdn.com/uploads/food_portal_data/recipes/recipe/hero_article_image/41/compressed_resizeimage593x426xIPqJzI17Qw.jpg) which also includes the afore-mentioned soldiers. So do you peel the shell away as the egg gets smaller, or are you left with a hollow shell in a cup? Looks yummy, and a little elaborate. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2017, 11:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/america-and-egg-cups/790904/16 "2017-07-10T11:06:37Z")
I am American, and grew up eating soft boiled eggs in an egg cup. But yes, egg cups are uncommon, here, as are soft boiled eggs. (fried over easy is common, though.) When soft boiled eggs are served, they are usually served on toast. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2017, 11:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/america-and-egg-cups/790904/17 "2017-07-10T11:07:49Z")
> [@bobot](#): > > So do you peel the shell away as the egg gets smaller, or are you left with a hollow shell in a cup? Looks yummy, and a little elaborate. Yes, you end up with a hollow shell in the cup. At least, that’s how I did it. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2017, 11:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/america-and-egg-cups/790904/18 "2017-07-10T11:12:55Z")
> [@bobot](#): > > So do you peel the shell away as the egg gets smaller, or are you left with a hollow shell in a cup? Looks yummy, and a little elaborate. You dip the “soldier” toast strips into the yolk and scoop the rest of the innards out with a spoon. Delicious. ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2017, 11:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/america-and-egg-cups/790904/19 "2017-07-10T11:13:04Z")
> [@jz78817](#): > > I don’t. Why do you lot always act so shocked that we don’t do things exactly the same over her? I’m serious, it’s getting a little grating. Lighten up, this isn’t a serious thread. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2017, 11:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/america-and-egg-cups/790904/20 "2017-07-10T11:20:25Z")
> [@elfkin477](#): > > I’ve only seen egg cups in pictures. I’ve seen them in real life. [They were small, and plastic](http://www.mrtricks.com.au/images2/175.JPG), and sold in displays of kid’s magic toys. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/america-and-egg-cups/790904.md?page=2)