Where does the color of the shell actually come from?

The answer is surprisingly simple: it all depends on the hen. The color of the egg is solely determined by the breed of hen that laid it. Some breeds naturally produce white eggs, while others lay brown eggs.

Neither freshness, nor taste, nor intrinsic quality are affected. It’s a bit like hair color: a visual characteristic, nothing more. What makes the real difference happens well before the eggs are laid: the environment, the hens’ diet, and the rearing conditions.

Nutritional value: is there a real winner?

This is often where the biggest surprise lies. Nutritionally, white and brown eggs are practically identical. Under equivalent rearing conditions, they provide the same high-quality protein, the same essential vitamins, and the same energy.

In other words, it’s not the color of the shell that influences your diet, but what the hen ate and how she was raised. For those looking to eat a balanced diet, there’s no need to focus on the color: it’s better to look elsewhere.