All about Eggs

Eggs appear to be so basic and simple on the outside, but they are really quite fascination when you get right down to it. Here I present everything you ever would want or need to know about eggs...and lots you likely don't need to know!

Myths such as believing that a blood spot on the yolk of an egg  indicates fertility, that chickens need a rooster present in order to lay eggs, or that feeding a chicken garlic will make hers egg taste like garlic will be busted. Read on for more facts and fiction about eggs.

• The color of an eggshell is dictated by a hen's breed and genes. A hen lays the same color egg her whole life. 

• The color of the yolk is dictated by a hen's diet. Foods containing xanthophyll such as corn, marigolds and alfalfa help make egg yolks a vibrant orange color.

• The white of a fresh egg will be thick and gloopy.  As the egg ages, the white will start to get runny and thin.

• The number on a carton of eggs indicates the date the egg was packaged (i.e. 306 stamped on the carton means the egg was put in the carton on November 1st - the 306th day of the year)

• A blood spot in an egg does not indicate fertility. It is merely a bit of broken blood vessel, possibly from rough handling of the egg or jarring while the egg was being laid.

• A white 'bulls eye' on the yolk does indicate fertility.

• A hen lays an egg about every 26 hours and begins the process of forming the next egg about 30 minutes after laying an egg.

• An egg should not be washed until just before using it, to preserve the natural 'bloom' that keeps out air and bacteria.

~refrigerating unwashed eggs will help them last longer but is not necessary~

• As long as they haven't been washed, eggs don't need to be refrigerated, but will last roughly seven times longer in the fridge than out on the counter.

• A hen's diet won't affect the taste of an egg specifically - i.e. adding garlic to their feed won't result in garlic-flavored eggs - but eggs from hens who eat healthy, varied diets will be more flavorful.

~an egg contains every nutrient needed for life except Vitamin C~

• An egg contains 13 essential vitamins and minerals, protein, unsaturated fats, lutein and plenty of antioxidants plus Omega-3s.

• In fact, an egg contains every nutrient necessary for life except Vitamin C.

• 75-85% of an egg is water.

• There are approximately 70 calories in one egg, nearly all contained in the yolk, which is also where the majority of the nutrients are.

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