Tips

Should You Choose Brown or White Eggs?

The color of a chicken's egg shell, be it brown or white, is influenced by a multitude of factors. But does the hue of an egg truly reflect its quality?

Administrator

9 September, 2024

In Vietnam, consumers prefer and are willing to pay a premium for white-shelled eggs laid by indigenous chickens. Currently, egg prices depend on factors such as feed sources, chicken rearing practices, and the supplying entity.

In contrast, brown-shelled eggs often command a higher price than their white counterparts in many parts of the world. This is because the chickens that lay brown eggs tend to be larger and require more feed, resulting in higher production costs.

However, brown-shelled eggs do not offer any additional nutritional, size, or environmental benefits.

Shell color does not indicate the nutritional value of an egg. Image: Get Cracking

The variation in egg shell colors arises from pigments produced by the hen. The primary pigment in brown eggshells is protoporphyrin IX, derived from heme, which gives the shell a reddish tint. The key pigment in green-shelled eggs is biliverdin, also originating from heme. This pigment is also responsible for the greenish color in bruises.

Within the same breed of chicken, genetic factors and age can influence shell color. For instance, older hens that lay brown eggs tend to produce lighter-colored eggs over time.

According to Consumer Reports, regardless of shell color, a large egg typically contains around 70 calories, 6g of protein, 2g of saturated fat, about 185mg of cholesterol, and a long list of other nutrients. These include lecithin, vital for cell membranes, and choline, which supports brain development.

The egg yolk also contains phosvitin, a protein that maintains skin health, and carotenoids such as carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin, which have antioxidant properties believed to reduce the risk of eye conditions like macular degeneration.

However, as Healthline points out, other factors significantly influence an egg’s nutritional content. For instance, the living environment of the hen plays a crucial role; eggs from free-range chickens raised in the sun can contain up to three to four times more vitamin D.

The type of feed given to hens also matters; those fed a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids will produce eggs with significantly higher levels of these healthy fats. Similarly, hens that consume vitamin D-rich foods will lay eggs with elevated levels of this essential nutrient.

Source: Vietnamnet

Frequently asked questions

The choice between brown and white eggs is purely a matter of personal preference, as there is no significant difference in taste or nutritional value between the two. However, it is worth noting that the color of the egg shell is influenced by the breed of hen that laid the egg, with brown eggs typically laid by brown or red hens, and white eggs laid by white or light-colored hens.

No, the nutritional value of an egg is not determined by the color of its shell. Brown and white eggs have the same nutritional profile, including protein, vitamin, and mineral content.

Some people prefer brown eggs because they associate the color with healthiness, organic production, or better taste. However, these perceptions are not based on scientific evidence, and egg quality and taste are determined by a variety of factors unrelated to shell color.

There may be subtle taste differences between brown and white eggs, but these are not due to the shell color itself. Taste can be influenced by the hen’s diet, the freshness of the egg, and individual palate sensitivity. Blind taste tests have shown that some people prefer the taste of brown eggs, while others prefer white, but there is no consensus that one type is superior in flavor.

Brown eggs may sometimes be more expensive than white eggs due to factors such as supply and demand, and the cost of feed and breeding for the specific hen breeds. However, price variations can also be influenced by factors unrelated to shell color, such as organic certification, free-range practices, or brand pricing strategies.