Why Are Brown Eggs More Expensive Than White Ones?
The answer comes down to the breed of chicken
The color of an egg’s shell is determined by the breed of chicken that lays it. Eggs with a brown shell often cost more than those with a white shell because they’re usually laid by a larger breed of hen that requires more food, which makes the eggs more expensive for farmers to produce. But there’s no nutritional, size, or environmental advantage to brown eggs.
Regardless of shell color, one large egg has about 70 calories, 6 grams of protein, 2 grams of saturated fat, about 185 milligrams of cholesterol, and a long list of other nutrients.
These include lecithin, an important component of cell membranes, and high levels of choline, a nutrient that aids brain development. Egg yolks also contain phosvitin, a protein that maintains healthy skin, and carotenoids—such as carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin—which have antioxidant properties thought to help reduce the risk of eye diseases like macular degeneration.
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Editor’s Note: This article also appeared in the January 2024 issue of Consumer Reports magazine.
