Some folks think brown eggs have more nutritional value than white eggs. But nope, you can't tell an egg by its shell! An egg's shell color is unrelated to its nutritional value. If you want eggs with genuinely better nutrition, shell color isn't the thing to look at — what matters is how the hen was raised and what she ate.
What Does Determine Egg Color?
Eggshell color is determined by the breed of the hen; white eggs usually come from white-feathered hens with light earlobes while brown eggs are produced by red/brown hens with red earlobes. All eggs start with a white shell, and brown pigment is added near the end of shell formation to create brown eggs. Light blue chicken eggs are produced by specific breeds carrying a dominant genetic trait (oocyanin) that dyes the shell blue throughout. There are almost never seen in stores but only in direct-from-farm eggs.
Why Then do Brown Eggs Usually Cost More?
The cost difference is mostly because the breeds that lay brown eggs tend to be larger and more expensive to feed. Another factor is that many premium or organic lines use brown eggs and you are paying for that, not the egg color. It's also true that brown eggs have become trendy among certain "foodies."
Are All Eggs Nutritionally Equivalent?
Regardless of their color, eggs from free range farm hens do provide better nutrition than eggs from factory farms. Hint: It's their diet! Read more in this post.
