Brown vs. White Eggs: Is One Healthier Than the Other?

People may think that brown and white eggs offer different nutrient makeups, but the only difference is the shell's color. The breed of hen that lays the eggs determines the colors, but the eggs' nutritional value, taste, and makeup are often identical.

The hen's environment can affect nutrient values, and freshness can affect the taste, but the color of the egg has nothing to do with nutritional value or taste.

Which Egg Is Healthier?

All types of eggs, regardless of their shell color, have similar nutritional values. Because of that, no one egg is healthier than another based on color alone. Brown, blue, white, green, pink, and cream eggs are virtually identical, nutritionally speaking.

Why Are Eggs Different Colors?

Genetics is the primary reason behind different egg colors. A breed's genetic makeup determines the color of the eggs it produces. For example, a Leghorn chicken will lay a white egg, whereas an Orpington will lay brown eggs.

Over 1,600 chicken breeds are recognized worldwide, and hens can lay eggs in a variety of colors, including blue, green, pink, cream, speckled, and, most notably, brown and white.

The egg's coloring starts in the hen's oviduct. During the 26 hours it takes to lay an egg, it passes through the oviduct, collecting pigment. Different pigments (colors) are deposited depending on the breed before it is laid.

Does Pigment Penetrate the Egg?

Eggshells can be different colors, but the interior remains virtually the same because the pigment does not penetrate the shell. Instead, it sits on top of it like paint. The color of the egg yolk depends on the hen's diet and can range from light yellow to dark orange and red.

Other Factors That Determine Nutritional Content

While the shell color doesn't determine the nutritional content of eggs, other factors make some eggs healthier. These factors include:

• Strain of hen

• Age of the hen

• Hen's diet

• Environmental conditions

Certain strains of hens will offer higher concentrations of minerals than others and also determine an egg's chemical composition and fatty acid profile. The amount of yolk and albumen will also differ depending on the strain.

Older hens also produce less nutritional eggs than younger ones, as age affects the egg's compounds and the albumen's quality.

Diet and environmental conditions will also affect the nutrient values of eggs. For example, hens fed higher-quality feed and living in less stressful conditions, such as free-range hens, can produce higher-quality, more nutrient-rich eggs than those who eat and live poorly.

Which Egg Color Tastes Better?

There is no difference in how eggs taste based on the color of their shell. Other factors can affect taste, though, including:

• Diet: Hens that have a more well-rounded diet or are pasture-raised will have a more intense and rich flavor than those who only eat feed.

• Freshness: The quicker you eat the egg after it has been laid, the better it will taste.

• Cooking: The way you cook the egg may also affect its flavor.

Why Are Brown Eggs More Expensive?

Brown eggs are typically more expensive than white ones because the breed of hen that laid them is more costly to raise and care for. The hens that lay brown eggs are typically larger than the breeds that lay white ones, so they require more food and larger quarters to produce the same amount of eggs.

What to Consider When Buying Eggs

Many types of eggs are on the market, and choosing the right one will depend on various factors. When you're looking for eggs, consider:

• Grade: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) provides a grading system to ensure the quality of the eggs. Grade AA is typically the freshest and highest quality. A grade-A egg is of very high quality. Grade B depends on the number of defects and is often used for baking.

• Size: Eggs come in different sizes, from extra large to small. Choose the egg size based on your needs and cooking style. If you're looking for more protein, choose a larger-sized egg.

• Organic: If the eggs are labeled 'organic,' they come from hens not confined to cages and have access to the outdoors. Their diet is organic feed that is free of pesticides or fertilizers.

• Pasture-fed: Pasture-raised hen eggs are more nutritional than cage-free or free-range eggs. Research shows pasture-fed eggs have more than double omega-3 fatty acids and twice as much vitamin E than commercial hen eggs.

Summary

The nutritional content of eggs varies only slightly from egg to egg, depending on the environment the hen lived in when the egg was laid, the strain and breed of hen, and what it is fed. Eggs come in many colors, such as brown, white, blue, green, speckled, and more. The color does not affect the eggs' taste or nutrient profile.

Choosing the right egg for your diet involves considering factors such as grade, size, how the hens are raised, and whether you eat organic foods.