Rice, bread, flour…some foods just seem more nutrient-dense when they’re brown. But does this rule apply to eggs, too? Many folks think that brown eggs are superior to their white-shelled counterparts, but this isn’t actually true. Choosing a carton of brown eggs over the more budget-friendly white ones all comes down to personal preference.
Whether you think brown eggs look more aesthetically pleasing as part of certain recipes or they just happen to be on sale at the grocery store, the color of the shell doesn’t influence the eggs’ taste, texture, or nutrition.
We spoke to nutrition experts on what the real differences between white and brown eggs are and what you need to know about their nutrition quality. Regardless of the type you buy at the grocery store, you’ll also want to read up on the 10 Science-Backed Effects of Eating Eggs Every Day.
What’s the difference between brown eggs and white eggs?
“The difference between brown eggs and white eggs is simply the color of the eggshell,” says registered dietitian Crystal Scott, MS, RD, a registered dietitian with Top Nutrition Coaching.
“Brown eggs are laid by breeds of chickens with red or brown feathers, while white eggs are laid by breeds of chickens with white feathers,” explains Scott. “The breed of chicken determines the color of the eggshell,” she adds. So, it all boils down to the type of chicken and its genetics.
The color of eggs hens can lay ranges anywhere from white to brown to speckled, and some lay other wild colors like pale blue or a light bluish-green, says Megan Hilbert, MS, RDN, a registered dietitian with Top Nutrition Coaching.
Common misconceptions about the color of eggs
According to Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, leghorn chickens lay white eggs, while Orpington chickens lay brown eggs. (Meanwhile, other chicken breeds, like the Ameraucana, lay blue eggs.)
Taking a look at the chickens’ earlobes will also give you an indication as to what color eggs they will lay. Chickens with light earlobes typically lay white eggs, while chickens with darker earlobes generally lay brown eggs, per Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. However, we must admit looking at the feathers might be a lot easier than trying to locate a bird’s earlobes.
Why are brown eggs more expensive than white?
Some folks think that brown eggs are fresher or more “natural” than white eggs, and some even assume white eggs are bleached and, therefore, more processed and chemically altered, Hilbert says. Rest assured that none of these myths are actually true. However, it’s breed of chicken determines the color of the eggshell—not the nutrition of the egg, Scott reminds us. Regardless of the shell color, all eggs are a solid source of protein, selenium, vitamin A, and B vitamins, as well as brain-supporting choline, according to the USDA.
So if your goal is to buy the healthiest type of eggs, you shouldn’t be looking at external factors. “The chicken’s diet and living conditions can tell you more about the eggs’ nutrition than the shell color can,” says Scott.
Nutritionally speaking, brown eggs aren’t worth the higher price tag. So why are they more expensive in the first place?
“The reason why brown eggs are often more expensive than white eggs is that the breeds of chickens that lay brown eggs tend to be larger and require more food, space, and care than the breeds that lay white eggs,” says Scott.
What’s more, hens that lay brown eggs lay slightly larger eggs, and these eggs take a little bit longer for them to lay. “This is because an extra process is required during egg formation for the shell to be ‘coated’ with the brown outer layer,” Hilbert says. Hens who lay brown eggs typically also lay fewer eggs overall.
