Eggs are a common staple in everyone’s diet. High in protein with no sugar, eggs are one of the most versatile foods out there. Whether it’s breakfast, lunch, dinner, or just a snack, eggs can easily be added to any diet. Hard-boiled eggs, in particular, are popular as they are so quick to make.

But have you noticed that green ring around the yolk? Yes, it definitely can be gross-looking. The good news is that this green ring doesn’t always happen. And, if you want to get rid of it for good, it’s completely within your control. (Read further, we’ll tell you how.)

First, when you cut open a hard-boiled egg and you notice a greenish ring, it’s the first sign that the egg itself wasn’t cooked properly.

Specifically, the discoloration is an indicator that the egg was overcooked, similar to how meat or rice might also get darker when overcooked.

What causes this color change?

Hydrogen sulfide from the egg white interacts with iron from the yolk. This process causes the color change.

How do you avoid the green ring for good?

The key is to make sure to cook your hard boiled eggs for the correct amount of time.

How do you get the perfect hard boiled egg?

There’s a lot of controversy around the perfect time to cook hard boiled eggs, but consensus is between 10 to 12 minutes.

So next time you are ready to make hard boiled eggs, set yourself a cooking time or just use the timer on your phone. You’ll never see that green ring again.