Why 4 egg whites for the meringue?

Since I have to separate 3 eggs for the curd, couldn't I just use those 3 whites for the meringue? Is is absolutely necessary to have 4 whites? I'd rather not have to separate another egg and have a yolk that I don't know what to do with.

janet tipple
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Blood Orange Meringue Tart
Recipe question for: Blood Orange Meringue Tart

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drbabs
drbabs April 12, 2022
That is what I would do. I’m guessing the recipe writer wanted more meringue so they added an extra egg white. I’d probably cut the sugar back by 1/4 also.
 
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