Buzz
If you enjoy eating chicken eggs, you may have an unexplained preference for certain shell colors. Many people opt for brown eggs, believing they are ‘healthier’ or more ‘natural’ than white eggs. But is there any truth behind that, or is it just a marketing strategy? What causes eggs to be white, brown, green, blue, or even pink, and does it really matter at all?
The color of the shell provides no information about the quality of the egg inside. When it comes to taste and nutrition, all chicken eggs are virtually the same. The factors that contribute to some eggs having a richer flavor or larger, vibrant yolks are largely tied to what the chicken eats and its living conditions. Eggs from chickens that are well-cared for and fed a varied diet tend to be more flavorful than those from factory-farmed birds. However, store-bought white eggs are no different from the brown ones next to them in the store. (And to clarify a common misconception: white eggs aren’t merely brown eggs that have been bleached.)
So, if the insides of all eggs are the same, why do they come in so many different colors? The answer is simple: different breeds of chickens lay eggs of different colors. The most common chickens on commercial farms are Leghorns, which typically produce white eggs, which is why most eggs you see at the store have white shells. However, there are many different breeds of chickens, and some of them leave behind colored pigments on the eggshells before they lay them.
The reason some breeds leave behind brown pigments while others create green, blue, or no color at all is still unclear. However, here's how it works: Eggshells form in the shell gland (or uterus), which is nearly the final step in a chicken’s reproductive process. (The final step is the vagina, where the egg is laid.) This gland is responsible for giving eggs their color. As stated in a blog post by the Michigan State extension program, shell formation takes roughly 20 hours, and the pigment deposits occur during the last few hours of that process.
Whether you're purchasing eggs at the store or collecting them from your own chickens, colorful eggs are simply visually appealing. The only time the shell color matters is when you're choosing breeds to raise yourself, and even then, it’s just a small detail. It’s one of the many traits that make each breed unique. Ultimately, eggs are eggs; once cracked open, you won’t notice any difference.
