What makes brown eggs different from white eggs? Is it a misconception that brown eggs are healthier, or is it the truth?
The unwritten law of food is that brown is preferable. Brown bread, whole wheat pasta, crackers, and sugar are all much better options than their white equivalents. What about brown eggs, though? While some individuals feel that white eggs are more hygienic or just taste better, others feel that brown eggs are healthier or more organic.
You might have noticed that brown eggs nearly always cost more than white eggs when you go egg shopping. Maybe you purchase white eggs since that’s what you ate growing up. Or perhaps you’ve adopted brown eggs as your go-to because someone informed you they were healthier.
Do you know why white and brown eggs cost differently even though they clearly have distinct appearances?
Here are some things to consider when buying a dozen of eggs, including the difference between brown and white eggs.
Why Eggs are Different in Color
Chicken eggs can be any hue, and brown and white eggs are frequently found in supermarkets. However, a lot of individuals are unaware of the reasons why distinct colored eggs exist.
The answer is really straightforward: the breed of chicken determines the color of the egg.
Brown-feathered hens with red earlobes lay brown eggs, while white-feathered birds with white or light-colored earlobes lay white eggs.
Egg color can sometimes be predicted by earlobe color, however this is not always the case. For instance, the Araucana breed of red-earlobed hens frequently lays blue eggs but can also produce green, pink, or even lavender ones.
The pigments that the chickens generate give the eggshells their various colors. Protoporphyrin IX, the primary pigment in brown eggshells, is referred to. Heme, the substance that gives blood its red color, is used to make it.
Biliverdin, which is the primary pigment of blue eggshells, is derived from heme as well. The pigment that occasionally gives bruises a blue-green hue is the same one.
Although genetics is the primary element influencing egg color, other factors might also play a role. For instance, hens who lay brown eggs typically produce larger, lighter-colored eggs as they age.
In some cases, the environment, nutrition, and stress level of the hen might also have an impact on shell color. The color itself won’t necessarily change as a result of these factors, but they can make the shade lighter or darker. The breed is still the key determinant of color.
Are Brown Eggs Healthier Than White Eggs?
People who choose brown eggs frequently do so because they think brown eggs are healthier and more natural than white eggs. However, regardless of size, quality, or color, all eggs are nutritionally extremely identical.
White and brown eggs are both nutritious foods. To see if there is a difference, scientists examined eggs with brown shells to those with white shells. Numerous studies have concluded that the shell’s color has no appreciable impact on the content or quality of eggs. This implies that an egg’s healthiness has little to do with the color of its shell. The color of the shell is the sole discernible difference.
Some people also believe that there are distinct colored yolks or that one hue of shell is harder than the other. However, in actuality, these elements result from the age and diet of the chicken.
Omega-3 fatty acid contents in eggs from hens fed a high-omega-3 diet are significantly greater than in typical eggs. When chickens consume vitamin D-enriched feed, the similar impact has been observed.
The nutritional value of an egg can also be impacted by other factors. The hen’s surroundings can have a significant effect. For instance, eggs from hens who are allowed to forage in the sunshine have three to four times as much vitamin D than eggs from chickens that are bred traditionally.
Do Brown Eggs Taste Better?
While some claim that white eggs taste superior, others prefer the flavor of brown eggs. But there is little to no difference in taste between eggs with brown or white shells, just like there is no difference in the nutritional value.
That does not imply, however, that all eggs have the same flavor. Even if the color of the shell is irrelevant, other elements like the type of feed, the freshness, and the cooking method may have an impact on how an egg tastes.
The food of a hen grown at home differs from a hen bred traditionally, which may also impact the taste of the eggs.
Additionally, the likelihood that the egg may acquire a bad taste increases with storage time. Eggs can retain their flavor for a longer period of time if they are kept at a constant, low temperature, like in the refrigerator.
These explanations could be the basis for some people’s opinion that eggs from chickens produced at home have a superior flavor to those from chickens raised conventionally. Backyard eggs may be on your plate more quickly than eggs purchased from a supermarket because they don’t undergo the same processing and shipping as conventional eggs. They might taste better since they’re fresher.
Why Are Brown Eggs More Expensive?
Even though brown and white eggs seem to be the same by all measurements other than color, brown eggs nonetheless tend to cost more at the shop. Due to this fact, many people now think that brown eggs are better for you than white ones. However, the cause of this pricing gap is entirely different.
In reality, brown eggs are more expensive because historically, hens who lay brown eggs have tended to be larger and lay fewer eggs than hens that lay white eggs. To cover the additional expenses, brown eggs had to be sold for more money.
Today, the cost of raising brown laying hens is almost equal to that of raising white laying chickens. However, the cost of their eggs continues to be higher. This may be because speciality eggs, such as free-range or organic, tend to be brown rather than white.
If Color Doesn’t Matter, What Does?
It is obvious that color is not a significant impact. So what factors should you consider when purchasing eggs? Here’s a short glance at the various sorts that are offered and what the labels on them signify.
1. All Natural
Since natural cannot be defined, the term “natural” is not regulated in the US. All-natural or naturally reared eggs are identical to regular eggs in every way.
2. Organic
The only organic and non-GMO feed that chickens receive is used to produce the eggs that are recognized as organic in the United States and the European Union.
They must also have year-round access to the outdoors. They have also not received antibiotics or hormones, even though laying hens are never allowed to receive hormones.
There is currently no proof that organic eggs are healthier than regular eggs. However, the quality of life of certified organic hens is definitely better, and more sunshine availability probably results in eggs with higher vitamin D levels.
3. Cage-Free
It could be misleading to refer to eggs as “cage-free.”
Cage-free hens are kept in an open space rather than the small, individual cages that conventionally bred hens in the US are kept in. However, hens raised without cages frequently nonetheless live in congested quarters with no access to the outdoors.
Living without a cage might be a little better for the hen. Cage-free eggs are probably no better for you nutritionally than regular eggs, though.
4. Free-Range
The term “free-range” refers to eggs produced by hens that have some type of constant access to the outdoors. The hens should live a better quality of life as a result of this.
Given that hens that are exposed to sunshine lay eggs with significantly higher amounts of vitamin D, it could also improve the nutritional value of the eggs.
5. Omega-3 Enriched
Hens fed a diet loaded with beneficial omega-3 lipids produce eggs that are omega-3 enriched. As a result, the egg has a significantly higher than average omega-3 content.
Omega-3 enriched eggs offer a different way to get these essential fats, which are typically scarce in the average person’s diet. Selecting eggs with omega-3s may have some health advantages.
6. Backyard and Local
The freshest eggs are likely to come from backyard flocks or those purchased directly from small, local farmers. These chickens typically live in more natural settings with easy access to sunlight.
The diets of backyard hens may differ from those of hens maintained conventionally, which may have an impact on the nutritional value of the eggs.
This is particularly true if the hens have access to grass, as research has shown that eggs from hens fed both conventional feed and grass contain higher levels of omega-3 fats and vitamin E.
Be sure to only purchase local or backyard eggs from sources you are certain adhere to proper care and cleanliness methods, as backyard flocks are not subject to the same rules on hygiene as commercial flocks.
Takeaway
It can be overwhelming to consider all the available egg alternatives. Although there are no flavor or nutritional differences between brown and white eggs, there can be depending on what the bird is fed.
The most crucial step is purchasing fresh eggs. There is a textural difference between a fresh egg and one that is a little older, despite tasting tests showing that the majority of individuals cannot taste the difference. When cooked, fresh eggs will be fluffy and full whereas older eggs would be crumbly.
Skip all the fancy labels and look for the cheapest eggs if you want the freshest eggs possible. You’ll obtain a fresher egg since consumers are price conscious. Eggs sell every day at a cheaper price. Eggs that are less than 48 hours old should be purchased if you are just buying regular eggs.