Bring your eggs to room temperature before boiling. If the eggs are too cold, the shells may crack during cooking

Place the eggs in a saucepan of cold water. Place the pan over medium heat

Bring to a gentle simmer, gently stirring the eggs constantly in a clockwise direction. The movement of the water helps to centre the egg yolks

Simmer the eggs for four minutes for soft-boiled eggs. For semi-firm yolks and hard whites, simmer for 5 minutes. For hard-boiled eggs, simmer for 8 minutes

Use a slotted spoon to remove the egg from the water. Transfer to an egg cup and serve immediately