Brown Eggs vs. White Eggs: What's the Difference?

When I was growing up, egg choices were pretty simple. Medium, large, extra large or jumbo, all in white, and all in one-dozen Styrofoam clamshells. Over the years, the egg aisle has expanded. You now have your choice of all sorts of eggs, from free-range to vegetarian, six packs to 24 packs, your eggsperience is a bit more bespoke.

But beyond price point, the biggest decision these days seems to be eggs with white shells or brown shells. Brown eggs seem to be the go-to for pretty pictures, making white eggs seem a bit pedestrian visually. And the slight upcharge on those brown eggs implies at least a tiny bit of superiority. But when it comes to brown eggs versus white eggs, are there really differences we need to know about?

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What Are the Differences?

For starters, know that eggs come in all sorts of colors. Non-commercially farmed eggs can have a wide spectrum of hues, from grays and blues to greens, which you might see at your local farmers market. The most important thing to know about eggshell colors is that they are determined mostly by the breed of chicken laying them. When it comes to the eggs at your local grocery store, most white eggs are laid by chickens with white feathers and earlobes, most brown eggs by birds with red feathers and earlobes, although there are breeds where the reverse is true.

For example, according to the USDA, Leghorns, Cornish and White Rock hens lay white eggs. Rhode Island Red, New Hampshire and Plymouth Rock hens lay brown eggs. If you want blue or green eggs, Araucana hens will give you those.

Which Color Is Healthier?

The important part is that, from a nutritional perspective and cooking applications, the interiors are identical. Only the shell color is different. As long as you are not choosing eggs with omega-3 enrichments, where the feed of the chickens is enhanced to provide extra omega-3 benefits, brown and white eggs are identical nutritionally. So there are no specific brown egg benefits unless you prefer the color visually! You might wonder if white eggs are bleached. But never fear, all eggs are sold in their natural colors.

What About Taste?

When it comes to flavor, the same holds true—there is no difference in how eggs taste based on shell color. Flavor differences can occur when the feed of the eggs is different, which is why when you get fresh eggs at the farmers market or from a neighbor with a coop, the yolks might be a deeper orange, and the flavor might seem more intense or "eggier." This will be related to the feed of those hens, not the shell color. Commercial eggs will all taste the same.

Why Do Brown Eggs Cost More?

Good question! Besides the hen's genetics determining egg color, their feed can further influence the color. According to Michigan State University Extension, all eggs start out white. Colored eggs have pigments deposited color on them as they pass through the hen's oviduct. You'll notice that the inside of the brown eggshells is white—they are not brown all the way through. To create that certain hue, the chickens need a few more nutrients in their feed, which makes their feed slightly more expensive than the feed for white chickens. Hence, the increase in store prices.

It's important to note that while the color of the eggshell does not determine nutrition, what the hens are fed might. While the evidence is not conclusive, according to a 2023 review in Poultry Science, hens fed feed enriched with omega-3 polyunsaturated fats, such as flaxseed, tend to produce eggs with yolks that are higher in this healthy fat.

Cooking with Eggs

This is great for home cooks who just want to make delicious dishes with eggs of any color. Whether you want to have fun with unique recipes or start your day with a classic soft-boiled egg, brown or white eggs will serve you just as well! Check out more of our Healthy Egg Recipes to use those delicious orbs.

The Bottom Line

The only difference between white eggs and brown eggs is the color of the eggshells—and maybe the price. No matter what color an egg's shell is, the egg will taste the same and have the same nutritional benefits.