Brown vs. white: What's the difference between these eggs?

Shopping for eggs no longer only involves opening the carton to make sure none are cracked. All kinds of labels, such as free of growth-hormones, free of antibiotics, cage-free, omega-3 and even organic eggs, are all stacked next to each other. Even some stores carry Aracauna hen’s eggs, which have a blueish tent to outer shell.

To solve some simple confusion between brown vs. white eggs, here are rumors about the shell’s color.

Myths About Brown vs. White Eggs

- Brown eggs are healthier than white
- Brown eggs are more expensive because they are better quality
- Healthiest eggs come from hens who only eat a vegetarian diet
- Brown hens produce brown eggs and white hens produce white eggs. This is due to genetics.
- Brown egg yolks are more yellow.
- More expensive eggs are the best quality.

Confessions of the Egg Controversy

- Hens that lay brown eggs are larger and cost more to feed, requesting a higher maintenance
- Heavy corn feeding for the hen results in a more yellow yolk
- Brown and white eggs have nearly the exact same nutrition
- Aracauna eggs (blueish color) have the highest cholesterol levels
- The hen’s earlobes determine the color of the eggs. For example, white earlobes on a hen would produce white eggs. Brown, black, or reddish ear-lobed hens produce brown eggs.
- Hens who eat worms with their regular grain feeding are considered the healthiest
- Omega-3 eggs are more expensive on the shelf because these hens eat flax seed meals, which is a very expensive feed to supply

Now that you know the truth behind brown and white eggs, maybe this will sway your decision one way or another. Eggs are eggs, so don't waste money on brown when the nutritional value is the same as white!