The color of a chicken’s egg entirely depends on the breed of chicken. That’s right. Like so much in life, it all comes down to genetics.
The biggest misconception out there is that “all eggshells are naturally brown, and white eggs were bleached. ” Buzz! Incorrect. While it is true that eggs are cleaned before being packaged and sent to your grocery store, they are not bleached.
In fact, most eggs are white at birth, but as they move through the hen’s oviduct, different breeds are genetically programmed to release pigments that make the egg a different color. Voilà! You have different colored eggs. Just like when you dye Easter eggs, the pigment doesn’t penetrate the shell. Most eggs look pretty much the same on the inside, though the yolks may be lighter or darker depending on what the chickens are eating at that time of year.
The cheeky Bovans brown hen above lays the brown eggs you see in Organic Valley cartons. Sometimes you might come across a speckled egg for a bit of variety.
One common question people have about white chicken eggs is whether they are bleached The simple answer is no, white eggs are not bleached.
The breed of chicken that laid the egg determines its color. Leghorns and other white chicken breeds with white earlobes lay white eggs. Birds that are brown on the ears, like Rhode Island Reds, lay brown eggs.
When an egg is formed inside a chicken, it starts out white. In some breeds, as the egg travels through the oviduct, brown pigment is deposited on the shell. But this pigment does not penetrate the shell, so the interior of brown and white eggs is the same.
Why Do People Think White Eggs are Bleached?
There are a couple reasons why some consumers think white eggs must be bleached
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At the store, brown eggs usually cost more than white eggs. Some people think this means brown eggs are better and white eggs are bleached to hide that they aren’t as good.
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In the U.S., all commercially sold eggs are washed before being packaged. This mandatory cleaning process uses warm water and mild detergent, not bleach. But some people think the reason white egg shells look so white must be bleaching.
Are Brown Eggs Healthier Than White Ones?
Many people believe brown eggs are more natural and healthier than white eggs. But nutritionists confirm there is no nutritional difference between white and brown eggs.
The color of the shell has no effect on the quality of the egg inside. Both brown and white eggs can have high levels of nutrients if the chickens are raised on a healthy, natural diet.
Free range chickens that eat a diverse diet and roam outside usually produce more nutritious eggs than conventionally raised chickens. The color of the egg shell makes no difference.
How to Choose Healthy, Humane Eggs
Rather than judging eggs by their shell color, consumers should focus on how the chickens were raised. Pasture-raised chickens that eat an organic, vegetarian diet and roam outdoors produce the healthiest, most humane eggs.
When shopping, look for the following labels:
- Certified Organic
- Certified Humane
- Pasture-raised
- Free range
Avoid eggs from caged chickens with no outdoor access. Their eggs are more likely to be nutritionally deficient.
Are Brown Eggs Organic?
Have you ever heard someone say “brown eggs are organic and white eggs aren’t?” This isn’t necessarily true. Remember, “organic” refers to how the chickens are raised and how the eggs are handled — whether an egg is organic or not has nothing to do with its color.
You might also hear “white eggs come from white chickens and brown eggs come from brown chickens,” but that’s an oversimplification. For example, some heritage breeds like Araucana chickens lay robin’s-egg-blue eggs. Olive eggers lay green eggs, but these chickens don’t have blue or green feathers!
What’s the Difference Between Brown Eggs and White Eggs?
FAQ
Are white chicken eggs natural?
It’s mostly based on genetics as some chickens lay white eggs, while others lay brown eggs. White eggs are natural, it’s just the chicken has the genetics to lay white eggs.
Are eggs washed with bleach?
Commercial Egg Sanitization for Consumers: In the tunnel washer, a disinfectant is used to make sure the eggs are free of bacteria that could be harmful. The most commonly used sanitizing agent in egg processing is chlorine.
Which is healthier brown eggs or white eggs?
There is no nutritional difference between brown and white eggs; their color is solely determined by the breed of the hen. Both brown and white eggs are equally nutritious and offer similar health benefits. The color of the eggshell does not affect the egg’s taste or nutritional value.
Are white chicken eggs safe to eat?
Often, people who prefer brown eggs do so because they believe brown eggs are healthier and more natural than white eggs. However, the truth is that all eggs are nutritionally very similar, regardless of their size, grade, or color ( 2 , 7). Both brown and white eggs are healthy foods.