- Consumers cling to the myth that brown eggs are more natural than those with white shells, and are therefore usually more expensive to buy.
- It turns out that nothing could be further from the truth: shell color does not affect the nutritional or health benefits of a chicken egg.
So where does this belief among consumers—and the price difference between the products—come from? Portal Spożywczy sought answers to these questions and settles once and for all the question of whether egg quality depends on shell color.
Are brown eggs better than white ones? Not at all!
As we read, many people looking to buy chicken eggs seek out those with brown shells. This is the result of the mistaken belief that white eggs come from industrial farms, while brown eggs come from smaller, less intensive farms. Brown eggs are more associated with rural farms, natural feed for hens and higher nutritional value. Customers, in turn, associate white eggs with more sterile, large-scale production. This is where the opinions that brown eggs are healthier, contain more vitamins and nutrients, and have a better effect on human cholesterol levels come from.
This belief, however, is completely wrong. The color of an egg’s shell—as experts assure us—says nothing about its quality or production method, and is determined only by the genetics of the hen that laid it. Some breeds of hens simply lay white eggs, while others lay cream, brown or even slightly greenish eggs.
And if hens of different breeds are fed and kept in the same conditions, the composition of their eggs will not differ. Shell color does not affect the protein, fat, vitamin or mineral content. The contents of an egg depend instead on the hen’s diet and welfare.
Why do egg prices vary in stores?
The fact that brown eggs are sometimes more expensive to buy is not at all due to their greater nutritional value or quality. It is more likely because the breeds that lay darker eggs are larger and need more feed. Producers want to recoup the higher costs of raising them through the price of the product.
However, the aforementioned popular opinions among consumers also affect the price. If they prefer brown shells, they may also be willing to pay more for these eggs.
Everything important on egg packaging
Experts advise shoppers not to choose eggs based on the color of the shell, but on the information on the packaging. There, it is easy to find information about how the hens are housed, allowing you to distinguish eggs from a poultry farm from those laid by free-range hens. You can also find out whether the eggs come from conventional production or an organic farm with the appropriate certification.
The packaging also shows the product’s minimum durability date and weight class. It is also worth paying attention to how eggs are stored in the shop.
Read more in the article on the Portal Spożywczy website:
https://www.portalspozywczy.pl/inne/artykuly/wielu-kupuje-te-jajka-bo-sa-zdrowsze-eksperci-wyjasniaja-prawde,293816.html