It appears that supermarket stores are diversifying their egg selections more and more. It can be challenging to decide which carton is best for you because there are so many labels available, ranging from natural and certified humane to Grade AA and Grade A. (Writer Grace Elkus investigated these labels in depth and identified the seven egg labels that aren't worth the additional money.)
But what about the egg's shell, which serves as its natural packaging? What can these shells reveal about what's within them, which are often brown or white but occasionally other colours like blue, green, and beyond? Additionally, is it worthwhile to spend more money on one than the other based on the hue of the eggshells? Here, I explain—with a little assistance from my family—what these vibrant exteriors can tell us about the eggs inside.
What Affects the Eggshell's Colour?
Since she has been rearing chickens for more than 30 years, farmer Ingrid Abraham (who also happens to be my mother!) claims that "the colour of eggshells is determined by the breed of chicken that lays them." For instance, Leghorn chickens are one of the most popular chicken breeds raised for egg production. It's possible that you have noticed a number of Leghorn eggs in your neighbourhood grocery shop. These birds are prized for their capacity to lay a large number of white eggs.
Another common and prolific breed of chicken that lays large brown eggs are Rhode Island Reds, which are rust-colored. But it goes further than that. Marans lay eggs with a deep brown to maroon shell, whilst Araucanas produce eggs with a bright blue and green shell.
There are probably many more chicken breeds and variants than the 500 that the American Poultry Association officially acknowledges. The appropriately called Alchemist Blue hens, which produce vivid green and blue eggs, are bred by family farms like Alchemist Farm & Garden. These novel breeds are crossbreeds of several established breeds, chosen for certain traits like temperament, eggshell colour, egg output, or meat quality.
Organizations like The Livestock Conservancy are striving to repopulate several endangered heritage breeds. Here is a list of the breeds they are presently concentrating on.
Do coloured eggs have a different flavor?
The flavor of the eggs is unaffected by the color of the eggshells. According to Abraham, "the nutritional content and flavor of the egg depend more on the hens' living conditions, such as their diet and access to the outdoors." Their diet is more varied since they spend time searching for weeds and digging in the ground for worms and insects. In fact, a Mother Earth News research found that hens allowed free reign to explore outdoors produce eggs that are healthier.
Lee Abraham, Ingrid's partner and my father, remarked, "Feeding hens a well-rounded diet will result in better eggs, just like you nourish the soil to grow the greatest plant possible. The "huge difference in flavour" between farm-fresh eggs and those found on the shelves of the neighbourhood supermarket, in his opinion, is evident. Farm-fresh eggs always triumph.
The Lesson
Although it might surprise you, the colour of the eggshell has nothing to do with the flavour or nutritional value of the eggs inside; it simply identifies the breed of the chicken. It is worthwhile to spend more money on locally grown eggs rather than the cartons found in your grocery store since diet has a greater impact on egg quality. Are brown eggs more expensive? Not worth the additional money.
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