The perfect boiled egg has a velvety yolk paired with a soft, solid white. Achieving this balance can be a challenge because the yolk cooks at a lower temperature than the white. Hard boiling an egg can yield a chalky yolk, while cooking low and slow can produce jelly-like, undercooked whites.

Scientists have cracked the perfect way to boil an egg. Boiling eggs is a common task in the kitchen — but it turns out you’ve likely been doing it wrong. Because yolk cooks at a lower temperature than the white,

If the ideal boiled egg has a meltingly soft centre and firm white, scientists have developed what they say is the perfect method. Alas, it takes 32 minutes.