Eggs are a favorite in diets all around the world because they are versatile, nutritious, and tasty. Whether you’re new to cooking or a seasoned chef, knowing more about eggs can make your cooking better and help you appreciate this simple ingredient even more. Here’s an easy-to-understand guide with interesting facts and useful tips about eggs.
#1 Store Eggs Upside-Down
Did you know that storing eggs upside-down can prolong their shelf life? Placing eggs with the pointy end down in the carton prevents air pockets inside the shell from contacting the yolk, thus slowing down the aging process and keeping them fresher for longer.
#2 Why Reptile Eggs Aren’t Recommended
Unlike bird eggs, reptile eggs, such as those from snakes and lizards, are not recommended for human consumption. These eggs tend to be higher in fat and lower in protein, making them less nutritious. Additionally, reptile eggs can harbor harmful bacteria and parasites that can cause illness.
#3 The Importance of Refrigerating Washed Eggs
When eggs are laid, they have a natural protective coating called the bloom. This coating prevents air and bacteria from penetrating the shell. Fresh eggs from backyard chickens can be stored on the counter, but store-bought eggs have been washed, removing the bloom and requiring refrigeration to remain fresh.
#4 What Determines Egg Yolk Color?
The color of an egg yolk can range from pale yellow to deep orange. This variation is directly related to the hen’s diet. Chickens fed primarily on grain will produce eggs with yellow yolks, while those with access to bugs and vegetation will lay eggs with rich, orange yolks.
#5 Hens Lay Eggs Without Roosters
Many people believe that a rooster is necessary for a hen to lay eggs, but this is a myth. Hens will lay eggs regardless of whether a rooster is present. The presence of a rooster is only required for the eggs to be fertilized.
#6 Egg Sizes and Hen Age
In grocery stores, you can find eggs in various sizes such as small, medium, large, and jumbo. The size of the egg is often related to the age of the hen. Older hens tend to lay larger eggs.
#7 Freshness Indicators Beyond the Water Test
Besides the well-known water test, there are other ways to check an egg’s freshness. Fresh eggs typically have a thick shell and a yolk that stands tall. The egg is likely old if the yolk is flat or the shell is thin.
#8 Lighting Affects Egg Production
Manipulating the lighting in a chicken coop to create longer days can result in hens laying bigger and stronger eggs. Hens can be tricked into laying more substantial eggs by adjusting the light to simulate a 28-hour day.
#9 Eggs and Eye Health
Eggs are beneficial for your eyes. They contain lutein, an antioxidant that helps prevent cataracts and macular degeneration, both common eye conditions.
#10 Egg Shell Colors and Chicken Breeds
The color of an eggshell is determined by the breed of the hen. While commercial eggs are typically white or brown, some breeds lay blue, green, or even pink eggs. This variety, however, does not affect the taste or nutritional value of the eggs.
#11 Duck Eggs for Baking
Duck eggs are prized in baking due to their higher fat content. This makes baked goods richer and more moist compared to those made with chicken eggs.
#12 Why Brown Eggs Cost More
Brown eggs often come with a higher price tag compared to white eggs. This is because the hens that lay brown eggs are generally larger and require more feed, driving up the cost of production.
#13 Egg Shell Pores
An eggshell can have as many as 17,000 microscopic pores. These pores allow the exchange of gases, but they also make the egg susceptible to bacteria if the protective bloom is washed away.
#14 Vitamin D in Egg Yolks
Egg yolks are one of the few natural food sources of Vitamin D, which is essential for bone health and immune function.
#15 Choline Content in Eggs
Eggs are rich in choline, a nutrient that supports normal cell activity, liver function, and the transportation of nutrients throughout the body.
#16 Differentiating Between Raw and Hard-Cooked Eggs
To tell if an egg is raw or hard-cooked, try spinning it on a flat surface. Hard-cooked eggs spin smoothly, while raw eggs wobble due to the liquid inside.
#17 Easy Egg Cleanup Tip
If you accidentally drop an egg, sprinkle it with salt before cleaning. The salt absorbs the liquid, making it easier to wipe up.
#18 Egg Aging at Room Temperature
Eggs age much faster at room temperature than in the refrigerator. In fact, they age more in one day at room temperature than they do in a week in the fridge.
#19 Hen’s Egg Production Rate
An average hen can lay between 300 and 325 eggs per year, depending on the breed and conditions in which they are kept.
#20 Egg Production Time
It takes approximately 24 to 26 hours for a hen to produce a single egg. This process involves forming the yolk, whites, shell membranes, and shell.
#21 Fastest Omelet Maker
The world record for the fastest omelet maker is held by a chef who made 427 two-egg omelets in just 30 minutes.
#22 Hen Egg Care
Hens are meticulous in caring for their eggs, turning them nearly 50 times a day to prevent the yolk from sticking to the shell.
#23 Kiwi Egg Size
Kiwis lay the largest eggs in relation to the body size of any bird species, making their reproductive effort one of the most remarkable in the avian world.
#24 Origin of the Word “Yolk”
The term “yolk” comes from an Old English word meaning “yellow.” Therefore, it makes sense to refer to the parts of the egg as egg white and egg yellow.
#25 The Largest Egg Ever Laid
The world’s largest egg, laid by a hen named Harriet in the United Kingdom in 2010, measured an astonishing 9.1 inches in diameter.
#26 Top Egg-Producing States
Iowa leads the United States in egg production, with more than 14.8 billion eggs produced annually. Ohio follows with 7.9 billion eggs per year.
#27 Why Chicken Eggs Are Preferred
Chickens are the primary source of eggs in most households because they lay more eggs, require less nesting space, and lack the strong mothering instincts of turkeys and ducks, making egg collection easier.
With these egg facts in mind, you can better appreciate the incredible versatility and nutritional value of eggs. Whether you’re making breakfast, baking a cake, or simply enjoying a hard-boiled snack, eggs are an essential part of a balanced diet.
Excellent egg facts. Very well written.
Interesting, but eating another animals eggs/fetus , it is a bit weird.