When you go to the store for eggs, do you buy white ones or brown ones? Does color influence your preferences? Perhaps you buy white ones because you are used to them since childhood. Or you learned from somewhere that brown is better, and now you take only them. But what is the real difference?
difference in chicken
When it comes to color, the breed of chicken is the key factor. Simply put, hens with white plumage will lay white eggs, while those with tawny plumage will lay brown. There are even breeds that lay the less common blue, or spotted, eggs.
Is a brown egg better than a white one?
Color is not an indicator of quality. If we are talking about taste and nutritional value, there is no difference between white and brown eggs.
Do brown eggs have thicker shells?
The shell of eggs of both colors has the same thickness. If you have ever noticed that the shell is thicker, this is the effect of the age of the hen that laid it. Younger hens lay thicker-shelled eggs, while older hens have thinner-shelled eggs. This applies to both white and brown eggs.
Why are brown eggs usually more expensive?
There is an opinion that browns are more expensive than whites because they are more natural. In reality, it is not. Brown eggs are usually more expensive, as brown-feathered hens are larger and require more feed.
Little nuance
However, there is one small nuance. Many people say that brown eggs are tastier because they have tasted brown eggs in the countryside. But even here color does not play any role - the fact is that in the villages you can most often find chickens with brown plumage, and a richer taste depends on the fact that domestic chickens are fed much better than those used for mass production eggs.
Have you ever wondered what determines the color of eggs in a chicken? After all, there are shells different color both white and all kinds of brown shades. What is it - various varieties eggs or a sign of quality? Let's try to figure out what affects the pigmentation of the shell and yolk. And at the same time we will find out why you should not choose this product, starting from the color.
Factors that determine shell color
There is an opinion among the inhabitants that the composition of brown eggs is more natural, so to speak, homemade. In fact, the quality of the product produced by a laying hen depends on many factors. But the color does not affect the taste or quality features eggs. And vice versa, the conditions of keeping and feeding the chicken in no way affect the color of the future fried eggs. And yet, what determines the different color of chicken eggs?
Factor 1. Breed
So, the color of the shell in the products that are carried by domestic and industrial chickens depends on the breed of the bird. At the same time, the ability to carry eggs of a certain color is laid genetically. That is, the same chicken throughout its life produces fruits with a shell of a certain color. And such a pattern is often observed: the color of the shell depends on the tinting of the feathers.
So, laying hens with white feathers are mostly carried in white, but pockmarked and golden birds are brown. To know for sure what color your hen's eggs will be, take a closer look at the earlobe. If it is white, then the eggs will have the same color. In chickens with a red ear, the color of the shell will be brown.
Each breed of chicken has certain characteristics. color characteristics. So, Leggorny and Russian White have plumage white color, and their shells are the same color. By the way, these breeds are distinguished by the greatest egg production. That is why white-shell protein products predominate in shops and markets.
V household they prefer to have birds that are capable of both carrying eggs and confidently gaining weight. Such breeds are mostly brown in color, respectively, and their eggs acquire the same color. These include Dominican laying hens, Rhode Island, Orpington and other meat and egg chickens.
For some reason, people have the opinion that since domestic eggs have a brown tint, this is a sign of their naturalness. One way or another, this stereotype is based on the subconscious, and has nothing to do with common sense. But farmers are breeding new breeds that lay well and produce brown-colored eggs in order to win the favor of the buyer.
By the way, we are all used to seeing chicken products with white and brown shells on our table. And in South America There is a specific breed of hens that lays bluish-green eggs. The chickens themselves look very original: they do not have tails, but feather decorations have formed on their heads due to their mustaches and beards. The breed is called "Araucana" - in honor of the name of the tribe of Indians who bred such chickens.
In the middle of the last century, testicles from Araucan chickens gained unprecedented popularity, but why? Among Americans, an opinion has appeared that the protein product of these outlandish birds contains several times more useful substances, and the cholesterol level, on the contrary, is much lower than in ordinary eggs. However, later studies have shown that chemical composition such eggs are no different from others, and the hype has passed.
Factor 2. Environment
The intensity of the color of the shell varies from pale, creamy shades to rich reddish. What does it depend on? Shell color is influenced by various external factors: air temperature, stressful situations, disease. The brownish color comes from a pigment called protoporphyrin. It is found in hemoglobin and various vitamins, and is quite common in many forms of wildlife.
The more time it takes for the fetus to pass through the oviduct, the more intensely it stains. This is because the porphyrin acts on the membrane longer. Also, the intensity of the color depends on the laying period: the first ones usually turn out darker.
Scientific studies have proven that the color pigment that affects the formation of color is located in the cells of the uterine organ of the laying hen. Therefore, the color of the shell is determined by initial stages egg formation.
What affects the color of the yolk?
The color of an egg yolk sometimes excites both beginners and experienced housewives. Let's see why in one egg the yolks are pale yellow, in the other they have a bright saturated hue, and in the third there may be a poisonous orange yolk.
The color of the yolk is a consequence of the influence of pigments belonging to the group of carotenoids. Carotenoids are natural pigments that give color to plants and fruits. However, not all types of pigment affect the color of the yolk. For example, beta-carotene, which makes carrots orange, will not affect the color of the yolk. But the pigments lutein or xanthophyll are able to achieve the bright color of egg yolk.
The color of the yolk depends on the diet of the bird. If the chicken eats foods rich in yellow pigment, then the yolk will have a richer yellow or orange hue. This effect gives corn brightly yellow varieties, herbal flour. If you feed chickens with pale varieties of corn and alfalfa, then the tint of the yolk will be pale yellow. When feeding with colorless food, the yolk will also have a barely noticeable yellow tint.
This indicator is not a sign of freshness, naturalness or nutritional value of the egg product. But producers of eggs for sale try to feed hens with brightly colored food to make the product look more attractive to the buyer. Interesting fact: for some reason, the yolk contains more protein than the protein itself, so the benefits of the yolk are not measured by the shade.
Simple chemical processes explain why chicken eggs are different shades both inside and outside. And these factors cannot be decisive when choosing a protein-rich product for your table.
Video "Myths about chicken eggs"
The video debunks several myths that relate to the chicken product.
Despite the variety of breeds of chickens, among which there are representatives of various colors, from blue-black to intense yellow, basically, laying eggs are laid in two colors: white or various shades of brown. What determines the color of the shell chicken egg? What makes the yolk yellow? Should I buy this product based solely on colors? The explanations of these issues are in the field of oology - the science that studies eggs.
Before moving on to color issues, you should understand the structure of the egg. Shell, protein and yolk are three components of a mature egg, which are in the ratio of 12:56:32 in relation to each other. If you do not take into account outer shell, the proportion of protein is 64%, and the yolk is 36%. Scientists came to the conclusion that 90% of the shell is filled with calcium carbonate, and the remaining 10% are magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, potassium, silicon, molybdenum, sodium, manganese, copper, aluminum, iron, fluorine, sulfur and other elements of the periodic table .
WITH outside the egg is wrapped in an over-shell film, which is a dried mucus. This protective layer prevents moisture from escaping and prevents exposure to harmful microbes. Inside is another "checkpoint": the shell film that holds the protein and serves as an excellent filter for microbes. However, it is open to the air and life-giving moisture necessary for the formation of the egg. The natural "checkpoint" is completed by a soft protein film.
The shell is 0.3 - 0.4 mm thick: at the sharp end of the egg, it is denser compared to the blunt end. The compaction of the egg shell also depends on the period of oviposition: at the beginning of the process, it is thicker, and gradually thins towards its completion.
The color scheme of the eggs, as well as the color of the plumage, are laid down at the genetic level. In chickens, like in other domesticated birds, the shade of the shell is due to belonging to a particular breed.
Brown color appears on the shell under the influence of protoporphyrin. Most often, this coloring matter can be found in hemoglobin and vitamins. He takes part in the synthesis of cells of the uterine mucosa during the formation of the shell, so the shade is laid at the initial stage of this process. How more hours is assigned to the egg's journey through the oviduct, the more intense its color becomes.
Factors affecting shell color
Partially for the color of eggs in one shade or another, the diet of birds matters: a lack of certain types of amino acids can lead to a decrease in color saturation. Also, its concentration is affected by the stage of oviposition, since the shade of the first eggs, as a rule, is more saturated. However, the most main factor, affecting the color of the shell, this is the affiliation of chickens to a particular breed.
It is enough to trace a parallel between the color of feathers and the color of the shell: females with white plumage produce white products, and speckled hens of other shades lay brown testicles.
Any variety of chickens is characterized by specific color characteristics. For example, the famous Leggorns or Russian Whites have snow-white plumage, respectively, their eggs will be of the same shade. Given that these breeds demonstrate excellent egg production, snow-colored eggs prevail on store shelves.
Hens Leghorn
Leghorn chickens were bred as an egg cross with high performance productivity. In addition, they have excellent adaptive abilities, have a moderate appetite and do not require much space in the chicken coop. We figure out how to properly maintain and feed "leghorns". And in the article "" let's take a closer look at dwarf chickens.
In private farms, in order to increase economic profitability, meat and egg breeds are preferred, which have a predominantly fawn or brown color, like Rhode Island laying hens, for example. Therefore, a logical chain has become fixed in the minds of the average layman: brown eggs = homemade, which means natural product. However, this formula does not work in practice.
There is a test method that gives a 100% result: a white earlobe is a guarantee of white offspring. Owners of red ears give products of brown shades.
The South American continent is the proud owner exotic breed hens laying blue eggs with a greenish tint. In addition to the original color of the shell, the layers themselves also look quite unusual: they do not have tails. The absence of appendages on the back of the body, apparently, is compensated by a mustache and beard. The name of the Araucan breed comes from the Indian tribe of the same name, which breeds this variety of birds everywhere. A few decades ago, this outlandish product gained unprecedented popularity thanks to an erroneously formed stereotype. It was believed that in this product there are much more nutrients than in eggs of the usual shades, and the level of cholesterol, on the contrary, is much lower. However, recent research has refuted this consumer cliché.
Breeds of chickens Araucan and Ameraucan
Araucan chickens are famous all over the world unusual color their eggs. However, many breeders believe that green eggs are not the only thing to love about this cross. Want to know what else is unusual about these chickens? Read our article on. By the way, the Araucans have a related cross - , which appeared by crossing Araucans with local American chickens.
In addition to breed, color saturation is affected by environment, the tendency of laying hens to various diseases and even stressful situations. These circumstances can significantly affect the intensity of color, giving the shell either a soft cream or a bright brick shade.
What determines the color of the yolk?
Apart from color features egg shell housewives are interested in the color of the yolk, which varies from light yellow to golden and bright orange. If protoporphyrin “worked” well on the brown shell, then the yellow tint is in the safe hands of carotenoids. However, not all representatives of this group of pigments are given the power to color the yolk in bright colours. For example, the beta-carotene that makes carrots so orange has no effect on the yellow thick stuff. But pigments with unusual names lutein and xanthophyll are directly involved in the color of the yolk.
The coloring is due to the nutrition system: when chickens eat plants that contain yellow pigment in large quantities, the yolk will also acquire a more saturated shade. A similar effect can be achieved with saturated yellow varieties of corn or grass meal. If light varieties of corn or alfalfa prevail in the diet, the pallor of the color will be transferred to the yolk. If the diet is based on colorless feed, the yolk will turn out to be almost transparent, light yellow in color.
The color of the yolk, as well as the color of the egg shell, have absolutely no effect on the quality of the product. However, laying hen breeders try to give the yolk an intense color, so they feed chickens with food containing a yellow pigment. In addition, the researchers concluded that the yolk contains protein in greater quantities than the protein itself, therefore, its benefits in no way depend on the shade.
Popular questions about chicken eggs
With the help of the simplest chemical processes, it is possible to explain many questions and mysteries associated with the embryonic form of animals wrapped in a shell - an egg, in the usual language. The following are the most common topics of discussion for housewives who actively use this product for culinary purposes.
Are the shells of white eggs more brittle than those of brown ones?
Shell strength is affected by 2 factors:
- laying age;
- amount of calcium in food.
It has been observed that with increasing age, the hen begins to lay more brittle eggs. Seasonality also affects the quality of the shell: in spring, when the condition of the body worsens after winter period, the probability of accidentally breaking an egg increases significantly.
Egg labeling rules
Any factory-made egg is labeled. The factory "brand" begins with capital letter, which indicates the duration of the retention period. The number following it means the category responsible for the size. For example, “D” means a dietary egg, which is desirable to be sold within 1 week, and “C” is a table egg, usable for up to 25 days. Depending on the categories, egg weight varies from 35 g to 75 g or more.
What color eggs are healthier?
There is a widespread belief, especially among housewives, that brown eggs are more natural. However, the quality of the product is not affected by the color, but by the content and composition of the feed. It has been noticed that among brown eggs, specimens with blood spots are more common.
Are eggs with green yolks dangerous?
The greenish tint that forms on the yolk during cooking does not affect its taste properties. However, they should not be boiled for too long, as the quality of the protein may deteriorate: the optimal cooking time is no more than 10 minutes. It is recommended to use only fresh eggs. Also, cooling the yolks immediately after cooking will help prevent greening of the yolks.
Which country boasts the highest consumption of eggs?
The country most interested in egg production is Mexico: each inhabitant of this sun-kissed land eats about 22 kg of eggs annually. A few decades ago, Japan led the egg rankings, with every islander consuming at least 320 eggs a year.
How does the yolk not stick to the shell?
The protein is formed from 3 layers: a relatively strong central layer and watery layers enveloping it, external and internal. In the area adjacent to the yolk, the protein is more concentrated than in the area immediately below the shell. In the layer in contact with the yolk, elastic cords are formed from two edges. It is they who fix the yolk in a central position, and due to their elasticity do not prevent its rotation around its axis.
How is an opaque protein formed?
The matte white tint of the protein is evidence that carbon dioxide is in the egg in a large volume. The cloudy color is due to the fact that the egg is still fresh, and CO 2 has not had time to evaporate. In eggs stored for a long time after oviposition, carbon dioxide successfully left the shell through the pores.
Is it profitable to store eggs without packaging?
Considering that the egg shell is riddled with millions of pores that facilitate the penetration of various odors and all kinds of bacteria, it is recommended to place the eggs in special trays. It is also desirable to avoid proximity to products that have a pronounced smell.
Is it better to place the eggs sharp or blunt side down?
It is preferable to put eggs with a sharp end down. This is done so that the yolks occupy a central position. Also, this position contributes to good ventilation: the eggs breathe better in this position, since at the blunt end there is large quantity pores, compared with acute.
What is the shelf life of eggs in the refrigerator?
Egg products can be stored in the refrigerator for about 5 weeks from the date of production. After 6 weeks of refrigerated storage, this product is not recommended for consumption. Gifts of laying hens do not deteriorate for a sufficiently long period due to the fact that a protective film forms on the surface of the shell.
What determines the size of a chicken egg?
The weight and size of eggs is determined by many factors. First of all, the age of the chicken affects the mass: the younger the female, the smaller the eggs she carries. As they grow older, their size becomes larger. If on initial stage the mass fluctuates within 50 g, then when the laying hen reaches one year, it increases to approximately 65 g.
Why are eggs with two yolks found?
Eggs with two yolks are formed when 2 eggs in the body of the laying hen mature at the same time. As a rule, a similar phenomenon occurs in very young females or one-year-old layers. The largest percentage of "twin eggs" occurs in the first week of laying.
Previously, such products were considered unfit for consumption, but given big size eggs, the mass of which reaches 80 g, livestock specialists are specially engaged in the development of chicken breeds that carry such eggs.
The color of chicken eggs depends mainly on the breed of laying hens, and the content of carotenoid pigments in the feed affects the intensity of the color of the shell. However, the coloring does not affect the taste and nutritional qualities in any way.
Video - Myths about chicken eggs
According to nutritionists, color doesn't matter in this case. and nutritional value is influenced by completely different factors.
So where did the myth of the superiority of brown and beige eggs come from? And what do you really need to pay attention to when choosing this product?
Let's try to figure it out together.
The most common myths about chicken eggs and the reason for their occurrence
We are already used to the fact that really high-quality food cannot cost a penny. Therefore, the fact that today dark-shelled specimens have more high price than light, did not go unnoticed.
It is better to pay more, but get the maximum benefit - we think and reach for a more expensive tray in the store. And then we proudly carry it home and assure our loved ones that brown eggs are definitely more useful than cheap white ones. Unfortunately, the stereotype: “More expensive means better” does not work here. The nutritional value light and dark eggs are exactly the same and cost has nothing to do with it. What are we paying for?
Myth #1. The higher the price, the more benefit
Let us immediately reassure that manufacturers are not trying to deceive us by offering identical products at different prices.
The fact is that breeds of hens that lay dark eggs tend to be larger and consume more feed. And since the maintenance of such a bird is more expensive, we are forced to partially compensate for the difference from our own pocket. 
Myth #2. Brown ones look more natural, which means they are environmentally friendly.
This delusion comes from our childhood. In the villages, eggs of all shades of terracotta used to be served at the table, and white ones were rather an exception. Why?
The fact is that the color of the eggshell is directly related to the plumage of the laying hen. From a bird with a dark or variegated color, we will not get white egg, and from light - brown. In the villages, hens with golden brown, gray, black or pockmarked plumage predominated, which is associated with a feature local breeds. Let's remember our childhood. Have we seen many white chickens on the village streets?
Dark-colored laying hens were in favor for a simple reason: they belong to the meat and egg breeds, while the light bird belongs to the egg-bearing ones, that is, you can’t cook a rich broth from it, and the roast will turn out so-so - without a bright taste. Naturally, in home production it is better to have "universal" than "profile" chickens.
So we have a memory that before the eggs were brown, very tasty and healthy (our grandmothers often used them for medicinal purposes). 
Today, the stores are dominated by products of large poultry farms. White eggs in industrial trays subconsciously seem to be of lower quality. This is true, but it's not about color, but about the lifestyle of laying hens. The villagers walked on fresh air, ate natural food, moved a lot. And what do modern birds see, rarely leaving the limits of cramped cages? Whether they lay white or brown eggs, their products will not be healthier.
The same applies to the brightness of the yolk. It differs in more saturated color in poultry, as opposed to the inhabitants of poultry farms, whose conditions are far from natural.
Myth #3. Brown eggs have thicker and stronger shells.
In fact, this figure depends on the age of the chicken. The younger it is, the stronger the shell will be and vice versa.
No less important is the lifestyle of the bird, its state of health and diet. not without reason farmers introduce various calcium-containing supplements as complementary foods: ground shell rock, chalk, shrimp shells, bone meal. These measures allow you to increase the density of the shell, make it more resistant to mechanical stress.
But the color here is completely irrelevant.
Summing up
To the question: which eggs are healthier, white or brown, we answer without hesitation - homemade. The main thing - . 
Because they:
- Eco-friendly. Chickens in small farms are free-range, eat natural food, do not receive chemical stimulants and antibiotics.
- They have a rich taste and pleasant aroma. Even the simplest dish from such a product will decorate the family table.
- Good for the health. Roosters live in poultry houses, so almost all eggs are fertilized and have the “correct” hormonal background, which has a positive effect on our body.
In order not to fall for the bait of dishonest sellers who offer, under the guise of home-made store products with erased stamps, you should only contact trusted housewives.
Distinguishing factory eggs is easy. They are the same in color and size, covered with a smooth, as if polished shell. In domestic eggs, the surface is slightly rough, the shade and shape vary (after all, all laying hens are different), and on the yolk there is a noticeable light spot - the future embryo.
Why are some eggs white and others brown?
We have already said that the color of the shell is influenced by the breed of laying hens. Meat-egg varieties always have dark plumage, egg-bearing varieties always have light plumage.
Accordingly, the former lay eggs with brown shells of all shades: from almost beige to brick, and the latter only with white.
Finding out exactly which eggs this or that chicken will carry is not difficult. Just look at her earlobes. If they are light almost white, this is exactly what the shell will be. If it is deep red, the eggs will turn brown. 
A bit of biology
Persistent terracotta shades are given to the shell by the pigment protoporphyrin. It is produced in the uterine tissues of the laying hen. The longer the egg is formed, the more intense its color, since the pigment is absorbed into the shell for a longer time.
The percentage of protoporphyrin in cells is laid down at the genetic level. So hens lay eggs of the same color throughout their lives, and its shades vary depending on the living conditions of the bird.
Note that brown and white are not the only color options for eggshells.
- Chickens of the Araucan breed, very popular in the USA and European countries, lay blue and turquoise shade. For this they were even called "Easter". The breed got its name from an Indian tribe, which, through long selection, brought out unique laying hens, the uterus of which contains the pigment biliverdin, which gives blue and green color.
- Marana laying hens are famous for their "products" with a deep chocolate tint. They were bred in the last century in France.
- The British breed Legbar can fill our basket with eggs of three colors at once: turquoise, olive and cream.
- Black chickens of the ancient Asian species Uheilyuy are a real exotic. They lay eggs that have not only a unique light mint color, but also healing properties. The extract from these poultry products can cure anorexia, hormonal disorders, cardiovascular diseases and problems with the immune system.
Regardless of color, eggs of all breeds of chickens have approximately the same nutritional value and taste. When buying, you should pay attention not to the shade of the shell, but to its cleanliness (there should be no remnants of chicken droppings or adhering feathers) and the absence of gloss. Moreover, the size of the egg, its weight and category are important.
The most useful are considered small in size, but noticeably heavy specimens. They are carried by young hens. A product labeled "1" is recognized as the most balanced in composition.
Now we will definitely choose only the best!
Surely, each of us has seen chicken eggs with different color. Many talk about the quality of the products. But is it? In this article, we will try to figure out what determines the color of the chicken egg shell, and how this affects their quality.
Some people think that brown eggs are more natural. However, the color of this product is affected a large number of factors. The color does not affect it. palatability. Let's take a closer look at what the color of the shell depends on.
Chicken breed
Color egg characteristics for each individual breed of chickens are different. So, for example, there are breeds with white plumage, which have high productivity and the color of the shell of their masonry is white. They are most often bred on an industrial scale. That is why there is a predominance of products with a white color on the shelves of a store or market.
Farmers prefer to have hens of a universal breed with high egg production. As a rule, their color is brown, therefore chicken eggs have the corresponding color. That is why they are considered more natural.
Environment
temperature, stress, various diseases can affect the color of the shell of chicken eggs. A shade of brown can be imparted by the pigment protoporphyrin. There is a lot of this substance in various vitamins, hemoglobin. The longer the fetus moves in the oviduct, the richer its shell becomes. This is due to the long-term effect of the pigment on the shell.
In addition, the color also depends on the laying period. So, for example, the first eggs are slightly darker than the subsequent ones. In the course of numerous studies, it was also found that the formation of their color is due to the presence of a color pigment in the cells of the egg-forming organ of the laying hen. In this regard, the color is laid still early stages development of egg fruits.
White and brown: is there a difference?
However, the difference of this product is only in color: for some it is white, for others it is brown. The presence of yolk nutrients and other characteristics are absolutely identical, and it does not depend on different colors. In this case, the thickness of the shell is almost the same.
Sometimes it may differ, but this is not the effect of color, but of the age of the chicken. In young mature individuals, the fruits will be with a thick and strong shell, which cannot be said about older laying hens. Strength can also be affected by the amount of calcium that the bird receives from the feed. As a rule, their fruits acquire a fragile structure in the spring, when the body of the chicken is depleted after winter.
Video presented by the channel Why? The show will allow you to find out what factors have a direct impact on the shade of chicken products.
Given all these arguments, the question arises: what determines the cost of eggs of different colors, if they are identical in their characteristics. Why is a product with a brown shell more expensive than a product with a white one? This is easy to explain: most often it is a marketing ploy and nothing more. However, it is worth noting that chickens that produce brown eggs require more feed, respectively, their maintenance is more expensive. It is this factor that affects the cost of brown eggs.
Cream-colored clutches of various shades are found, as a rule, in dark-colored chickens, however, in other respects, the products do not have any difference.
Sometimes foods of different colors differ in taste. Why is this happening? First of all, I would like to note that it does not depend on what tone it is painted in. eggshell. The difference lies in the nutrition of chickens, as it affects the color and taste of the yolk. If laying hens that lay fruits with different shell colors eat the same way, then their taste properties and yolk tone will be identical.
For some reason, many people believe that the color of the yolk is an indicator of the naturalness and freshness of the product. But it's not. Pigments such as carotenoids affect the structure of the yolk. They are found in foods of plant origin. So, for example, if corn or grass meal is added to the feed of laying hens, then the color of the yolk will be very bright. Alfalfa has less of this pigment, so its hue will be pale.