If you’ve ever shopped for eggs at the supermarket, you might have wondered about the difference between brown and white eggs. Not only do they differ in eggshell color, but their price points aren’t the same either. So, what is it that makes them so different?
Brown And White Eggs Differences
The main difference between brown and white eggs can be seen in the color of the egg shell. An egg’s color is determined by the genetic makeup of the hen that laid the egg.
Egg Color Difference
What Affects The Color Of Eggs
- The color of eggs depends on the chicken breed and their genetic makeup.
- The color of a hen’s ear area can indicate the color of the eggs that hen will produce.
- The color of a hen’s feathers affects the color of its eggs. Hens with brown feathers lay colored eggs, while hens with white feathers lay white eggs.
- Certain breeds are known to produce particular colored eggs. However, eggshell color can also differ depending on an individual hen’s dominant genes.
Are White Eggs Bleached Brown Eggs?
White eggs are not bleached eggs. While most eggs start out as white eggs, different breeds of chicken release different colored pigments because of their genetics. When an egg passes through a hen’s oviduct, sometimes colored pigments can be released, causing the egg to have spots or turn completely brown.
Why Are Brown Eggs More Expensive Than White Eggs?
Brown eggs tend to cost more than hens that lay brown eggs. Depending on the breed of hen, different kinds of feed and housing may be required which have greater costs compared to other hens. This additional cost in production is reflected in the prices you see on store shelves.
Nutritional Difference Between Brown And White Eggs
While the size of an egg can affect its nutritional value, color does not. What a hen eats can also affect the nutrition and health benefits of eggs.
For example, if a chicken’s feed is filled with omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, or other nutrients, this will also have an impact on the nutrition and health benefits.
Which Are Healthier, White Or Brown Eggs
Ultimately, there is no nutritional difference between different colored eggs. Nutritional differences can come from the size of the eggs you buy, but for white or brown eggs, there is no nutritional distinction.
Taste Difference Between Brown And White Eggs
There is no evidence that suggests that brown or white eggs taste different from one another. Despite this, research by Science Direct indicates that there is less yolk in brown colored eggs than in white eggs, and they are also heavier due to their shell and the egg white.
Difference In Price Between Brown And White Eggs
Eggs that are colored tend to be more expensive than white eggs. The price difference can also depend on costs associated with how the hens were raised while producing eggs.
Why Is There A Difference In Price Between Brown And White Eggs?
The reason brown eggs are a bit pricier is because of the higher costs associated with the care of the hens known to produce the colored eggs. The hens that lay brown or colored egg are generally larger and require more feed, effort, and potentially higher housing cost. Therefore, the costs are passed down to the consumer.
Which Eggs Are The Best To Buy?
The best eggs to buy are dependent on personal preference. If you are looking to spend less, white eggs are ideal since they are the less expensive option of the two.
If you pick your eggs based on the feed and the environment of the hens that laid the eggs, pay attention to the carton and consider this when buying eggs.
Tips For Buying Eggs
When buying eggs, you want to look for eggs that are fresh and also have high quality. You want to consider buying eggs that are only refrigerated. Choose the size egg that fits your needs. Avoid any eggs that are out of date. Choose eggs that are clean and don’t have cracked shells.
It’s also important to make sure that the eggs you choose to buy have a USDA-grade shield or a mark indicating the quality and size.
You can also look for eggs that are labeled as organic if organic eggs are the ones you prefer. Organic eggs are strictly regulated and the eggs come from uncaged hens that have free range. The hens should also consume an organic diet if the eggs are labeled as organic.
Free-range eggs are another thing to consider when buying eggs. These hens are required to be in a cage-free environment and have access to an outdoor environment during the time the hens will be laying eggs.
Another factor when buying eggs includes whether the eggs are cage-free. This means that hens have access to roam around and have access to an unlimited amount of food. It’s not required by the USDA for these hens to have access to the outdoors.
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