Farm-Fresh Eggs: A Rainbow of Colors
Farm-Fresh Eggs in a Rainbow of Colors
Ever wondered why shells on chicken eggs are different colors? Some really beautifully-colored eggs can be found at your farmers’ market. The shells range in colors from the usual white, to shades of cream, tan and brown, to light and dark turquoise.
A chicken’s genes determine their egg shell color. You can tell what color of egg they will lay by looking at their earlobes. A hen has earlobes, you say? Never thought about it? Yes, even though their ears are covered with feathers, the chicken’s earlobes are visible and come in different colors. White-feathered chickens with white earlobes lay white eggs; red or brown chickens with red earlobes lay brown eggs; blue to green chicken eggs come from the Aracuana, a breed of chicken developed in Chile. Araucanas have also been crossed with other breeds to produce the Americauna, sometimes called the “Easter egg chicken” because of multicolored eggs.
Originally, all chicken eggs were probably brown. Over time, selective breeding for white eggs became the norm. It wasn’t until the late 20th century when brown eggs were reintroduced, and then came the return of those breeds with bluish-colored eggs, although breeders and farmers were obviously familiar with them.
Eggs of different colors are essentially identical in flavor, with the taste itself determined by the chicken’s diet. Have you ever cracked open a farm-fresh egg to discover a deep rich yellow yolk? Compare that to the pale yellow yolks you get in supermarket eggs! Pasture-raised chickens are free to roam and eat insects, grass, and other natural foods in their environment. They are free to consume the dietary minerals they need, which is passed down to the eggs and the shells.
Get your eggs from your local farmers’ market for the prettiest colors and the best flavor you can find. Visit Great Valley Poultry in Manteca, Clara’s Egg Farm from Royal Oaks, or Nojaba Farms from Gustine. Their birds offer some of the best eggs around.
Try farmers’ market eggs and compare them to the grocery store variety of eggs. We bet you’ll notice the difference in quality and flavor.
Get your eggs from your local farmers’ market for the prettiest colors and the best flavor you can find. Visit Doan Farm from Merced offers eggs at the Milpitas Farmers’ Market. The eggs are some of the best eggs around.
