7 Differences Between Brown and White Eggs
Whether you’re picking up a dozen eggs from the store or collecting them fresh from a backyard coop, you’ve likely noticed a variety of eggshell colors—most commonly brown and white. Some people believe that brown eggs are healthier, while others swear that white eggs taste better. But is there really a nutritional difference between brown and white eggs? The truth lies in the breed of the hen, her diet, and how she’s raised. Understanding the difference between brown and white eggs can help you make more informed decisions at the grocery store or farmer’s market.
Written by
- Redaction Team
- Body, Healing Foods, Personal Development
Table of Contents
Brown Egg vs White Eggs: What Determines the Color of Eggshells?
The color of eggshells is determined solely by the breed of the chicken. Chickens with white feathers and white earlobes, such as Leghorn chickens, typically lay white eggs. In contrast, breeds like Rhode Island Reds or Marans, which have red or brown feathers and darker earlobes, usually produce eggs with brown shells.
The pigment in brown eggshells is called protoporphyrin, while the blue pigment found in blue eggshells is called biliverdin. Interestingly, blue-green and even green eggs can appear depending on the genetic dominance among individual birds. Regardless of whether they are white or brown eggs, the shell color does not affect the nutritional value or the quality of the eggs.
Do White and Brown Eggs Taste Different?
Many people ask: Do brown and white eggs taste different? The taste of an egg isn’t determined by the color of an egg but rather by the hen’s diet, freshness, and cooking method. Free-range chickens that forage for bugs and plants may lay eggs with a richer yolk and fuller flavor, but that’s not because of the shell color.
Among the same breed, the taste remains largely the same, regardless of whether they lay brown or white eggs. So, when comparing brown eggs vs white eggs in flavor, there is no real difference unless external factors like feed and environment come into play.
Nutritional Differences Between Brown and White Eggs
Despite popular myths, brown eggs are not more nutritious than white ones. Whether the egg comes from a white-feathered Leghorn or a brown-feathered Marans, its nutritional content—such as protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals—is practically the same.
Every egg contains about 6 grams of protein and less than 80 calories. The nutritional difference arises not from color but from how the hen is raised. Free-range or organic eggs might be more nutritious because of the hen’s diet and access to the outdoors, but this has nothing to do with brown or white shells.
White and Brown Eggs: Production and Cost
You may have noticed that brown eggs often cost more than white eggs. This isn’t because they’re healthier or better in quality—it’s because the hens that lay brown eggs are typically larger and consume more feed. This increases the cost of production for brown eggs, which is then reflected in the market price.
On the other hand, Leghorns, the breed known for laying white eggs, are more efficient producers, eating less and producing more, making white eggs more economical.
Are Brown Eggs More Natural or Organic?
Some shoppers believe that brown eggs are more natural or organic, but this is a common misconception. The difference between white and brown eggs is not related to how they’re farmed. Organic or free-range labels refer to the hen’s living conditions and diet, not the color of the shell.
Both brown and white eggs can be organic, free-range, or cage-raised. The shell color is purely genetic and has no bearing on the egg’s quality or how it was produced.
The Yolk Color and What It Indicates
Another area of confusion is the color of the yolk. Some assume that brown eggs have a darker, richer yolk, but this also depends on the hen’s diet, not the shell color. Hens that are allowed to roam and forage often produce eggs with brighter yolks, regardless of whether the egg shell is brown or white.
So if you’re seeing deep orange yolks, you’re probably eating eggs from free-range chickens, not necessarily brown eggs.
What’s the Difference Between Colored Eggs?
There are many different colored eggs—including white, brown, blue, and green—and they all come from different breeds. For instance, Araucanas lay blue eggs, and hybrids of various breeds can even lay green eggs.
These colored eggs are often seen in backyard flocks or specialty farms, and their unique colors make them visually appealing. Still, the nutritional value remains the same. The color of an egg is just another example of nature’s diversity in action.
Conclusion: Brown vs White Eggs—What Really Matters?
The real difference between brown and white eggs lies in the breed of the hen, not in nutrition, flavor, or quality. Whether you choose brown or white eggs, what matters more is how the hens were raised, what they were fed, and how fresh the eggs are. The eggshell color is simply a genetic trait, like hair or eye color in humans.
So the next time you find yourself choosing between brown and white eggs, remember: the shell color doesn’t determine which egg is better. If you’re looking for more nutritious and tastier eggs, focus on labels like organic, free-range, and pasture-raised rather than the color of eggshells.
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