Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Why are the shells of hens eggs mainly brown in the UK and white in the USA?

Egg shell color is caused by pigment deposition during egg formation in the oviduct and can vary according to breed, from the more common white or brown to pink or speckled blue-green. Although there is no significant link between shell color and nutritional value, there is often a cultural preference for one color over another. For example, in most regions of the United States, eggs are generally white; while in the northeast of that country and in the United Kingdom, eggs are generally light-brown. In Brazil, white eggs are generally regarded as industrial, and brown or reddish eggs are preferred. Regarding chicken eggs, the color of the egg depends on the color of the bird. According to the Egg Nutrition Center, hens with white feathers and earlobes will lay white eggs, and chickens with red feathers and earlobes will lay brownish eggs.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egg_(food)

Why are the shells of hens eggs mainly brown in the UK and white in the USA?
There's really no difference so I expect its an aesthetic thing. IN England we think brown eggs look 'healthier' and in the States they think white eggs look 'cleaner' or something like that...
Reply:ANF is right.



It's to do with food additives, and not breed.



It's the same as how orange do you want your orange juice.
Reply:Different varieties of chickens. No nutritional difference.
Reply:In the US - the eggs are bleached.
Reply:They are about 85% brown here in New England. We have a lot of Rhode Island Reds (breed) chickens here. It's even hard to find white eggs here to dye for Easter.
Reply:An egg shells color is determined by the breed of hen that laid it. There is no bearing on taste or nutritional value.
Reply:Because in the UK some years ago, it was believed that brown eggs were better than white. The suppliers therefore added an ingredient to the chicken feed to give brown shells. There is of course no difference in nutrition between the two colours.
Reply:These days they are mostly white in the UK


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