A new Italian study has devised an ideal way to cook an egg. But perfection, as always, is a little ridiculous

Scientists say they’ve cracked the code for boiling the perfect egg. It’s a recipe you can test for yourself — though the timing isn’t

After cooking the egg thusly, the researchers first studied it using spectrometry and an MR-like scanner. They confirmed that both phases (yolk and white) were cooked perfectly. They also found that the eggs had more healthy antioxidants (polyphenols) than boiled eggs, though it’s not clear why.

A technique called “periodic cooking” involves moving an egg between hot and cold water, and some swear by it.

It turns out that cooking eggs is a topic that engages not only breakfast lovers but also scientists. Researchers from the University of Naples in Italy, led by Ernesto Di Maio, have discovered a method for cooking perfect eggs—with well-set whites and creamy yolks.