Egg-citing Facts!

Yolk color depends on the diet and health of the hen.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Hen diets heavy in green plants, yellow corn, alfalfa and other plant material with xanthophylls pigment (a yellow-orange hue) will produce a darker yellow-orange yolk. Diets of wheat or barley produce pale yellow yolks; hens fed white cornmeal produce almost colorless yolks.

China is the No. 1 egg producer in the world

• True

• False

Answer explanation

China has been the world’s largest egg-producing country since 1985 and accounted for 34.1% of the global egg production in 2019, according to the latest data from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.  

A hen lays an egg every 12 hours.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Generally, a hen's reproductive cycle is about 24 to 27 hours long. As a result, a hen may get into a rhythm of laying an egg about once a day.

The majority of fat found in eggs is unsaturated fat.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Around 9% of the egg content is fat. The fat of an egg is found almost entirely in the yolk; there is less than 0.5% in the albumen.

Most of an egg’s total fatty acid composition is monounsaturated (approximately 38%). About a further 16% is polyunsaturated and only 28% is saturated.

Brown and white eggs have the same nutritional value.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Brown and white eggs have similar nutrients, and their health benefits are not dependent on their shell color. Other factors such as the hen’s diet can influence egg nutrition.

Eggs can lose water during storage.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

The longer eggs are kept in the refrigerator, the more the white and yolk of an egg lose quality. The yolk absorbs water from the white.

The freshness of eggs is better preserved in the fridge.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Storing your eggs in the fridge is the best way to keep bacteria under control.

As an added bonus, it also keeps eggs fresher for much longer than storing them at room temperature.

Egg Masala is a dish originally from Nigeria.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Egg masala—also known as “anda curry,” from the Hindi word for “egg”—is a popular dish at dhabas, or roadside restaurants, in India.

Eggs are ideal for low-carbohydrate diets.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

As one of the most nutritious foods you can find, eggs make an essential component of any low-carb diet. They're packed with nutrients that boost brain and eye health and contain almost zero carbs.

Egg shells are made almost entirely of calcium carbonate.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Most good quality eggshells from commercial layers contain approximately 2.2 grams of calcium in the form of calcium carbonate. About 95% of the dry eggshell is calcium carbonate weighing 5.5 grams.