If you had pulled me aside when I was younger and asked if I knew the difference between store bought and fresh farm eggs, my response would most likely be, ‘eggs are eggs.’ Basically, I didn’t think there was a difference and all eggs were just delicious. However, there is a difference between the two. I first learned this difference when I went to college in Central New York. Central New York is where I developed a passion for farmer’s markets, the concept of farm to table, and the importance of supporting your local community. So what is the real difference between fresh farm eggs and store bought ones? To be blunt, just about everything.
Let’s begin with my favorite part of the egg, the yolk. A lot of consumers don’t like the yolk either because they think it taste funny or they find it unhealthy. If you ask me, I’m proud to say there’s nothing I enjoy more than a nice pair of eggs sunny side up. The yolk of a farm fresh egg is typically richer in color and taste while store bought egg yolks are always a medium yellow. Not only do farm egg yolks have a deeper color, their yolk is creamier and doesn’t break as easily when cooked. Here’s a fun fact, the eggs you buy in the store are usually 6-8 months old before they hit the shelves. You may not realize it, but as time passes the egg becomes less nutritious. Many of the differences between store bought and farm fresh eggs all comes down to the nutrition and maturity of the chickens. If you hold the two in your hand, you would also notice that farm eggs are denser due to the different diets of the chicken. The shells of farm eggs are thicker and harder than those of store bought eggs that were developed in a major factory.
Just like with your own body, you’ll get out of it what you put in. Chickens from the farm are fed with food sources of a higher quality than those who are hosted within a factory for mass consumption. This is why the yolk is richer and the shell is thicker. Farm fresh chickens spend their days outside soaking up vitamin D, while factory chickens are stuck inside eating a feed that just isn’t as good or fresh.
However, it is true that the color of the shell doesn’t matter. Though many people will swear by it, there is no difference between white or brown eggs. I recently asked a farmer if there was, and was told that some chickens lay white eggs, and others lay brown. As cheesy as it may sound, chickens don’t discriminate and neither should you, unless you are given the choice between farm fresh and store bought.
The bottom line is that farm fresh eggs taste better, and hold more nutritional value than store bought eggs. If you don’t believe me, then test it out for yourself. Trust me, once you have seen and tasted the difference, there’s no going back. Go support your local community and take the time to buy some farm fresh eggs because fresh will always taste better.
FAQs
Store-bought eggs are usually laid by hens confined to cages or in large confined barns (that's called cage-free) never seeing the sun, which means no Vitamin D in store-bought eggs. When compared to store-bought eggs, local farm eggs are richer in color, yolk density, freshness, and shell thickness.
What is the difference between store-bought and farm fresh eggs? ›
The yolk of a farm fresh egg is typically richer in color and taste while store bought egg yolks are always a medium yellow. Not only do farm egg yolks have a deeper color, their yolk is creamier and doesn't break as easily when cooked.
How long are farm fresh eggs safe to eat? ›
Per the FDA, for the best quality, you should use eggs within three weeks of their purchase date. Donovan, however, gives a slightly longer shelf life—six weeks in the fridge for farm-fresh eggs, and four weeks in the fridge for eggs from a grocery store.
Are farm raised eggs better for you? ›
Research from Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences found that compared to eggs from conventionally-raised chickens, eggs from pasture-raised hens had: Double the amount of vitamin E and long-chain omega-3 fats. More than twice the amount of total omega-3 fatty acids.
Does it matter what eggs you buy? ›
Some research shows that pasture raising hens leads to eggs with healthier omega-3 fats, and more vitamin E than eggs from caged hens. Still, a pasture raised egg isn't necessarily any healthier an a conventional egg.
How long are fresh eggs good for unrefrigerated? ›
A general rule, unwashed eggs will last around two weeks unrefrigerated and about three months or more in your refrigerator. If you're experiencing an egg boom, it's smart to refrigerate any unwashed fresh eggs you aren't planning to eat immediately. This will help them last longer.
Why do farm fresh eggs not have to be refrigerated? ›
Conversely, eggs with their protective layers intact are much less likely to be infected by salmonella—at least on the inside—and because of this they don't need to be refrigerated.
Should you wash farm fresh eggs before refrigerating? ›
Eggs have small pores which harmful bacteria can enter. Even shells that appear clean can carry germs. Even so, eggs do not need to be washed. If not washed, they can keep without spoiling for weeks without refrigeration.
What not to do with farm fresh eggs? ›
Do not use rags or sponges to scrub the eggs. Wet cleaning must meet water and egg temperature requirements.
What happens if you don't wash farm fresh eggs? ›
In the refrigerator, unwashed eggs will still last longer than washed eggs, and also longer than they would at room temperature (about 7 times longer to be precise). So if you can avoid washing your eggs, it's the preferred method, but it's not the end of the world if you have to rinse off some of the eggs.
Farm eggs taste better and are better for you.
Farm fresh eggs are higher in omega-3 fatty acids because chickens are able to forage for foods that are natural for a chicken to eat and are not found in the diets of caged hens that produce store-bought eggs.
How to wash farm fresh eggs? ›
Using warm water swells the egg and keeps the barrier closed. You can rinse off your eggs or fill a bowl of warm water and gently scrub with a cloth or paper towel until clean. With this method, the bloom is no longer intact, so you will have to store these eggs in the fridge.
What 3 things should you look for when buying eggs? ›
Choose eggs with clean, uncracked shells. Don't buy out-of-date eggs. Look for the United States Department of Agriculture grade shield or mark. Graded eggs must meet standards for quality and size.
What is the best egg company to buy from? ›
These highest quality egg brands like Vital Farms, Alexandre Family Farms and Utopihen, among others, have earned their reputation by prioritizing the well-being of both hens and consumers alike, adhering to rigorous production standards, and consistently delivering eggs of unparalleled quality.
Are Eggland's best eggs worth the extra money? ›
As a superior alternative to ordinary eggs, Eggland's Best offers higher nutritional content, less saturated fat and fewer calories. EB eggs contain 10 times more vitamin E, more than twice the amount of omega-3s, more than double the amount of vitamin B, and six times more vitamin D than ordinary eggs.
Why are farm fresh eggs more yellow than store bought? ›
Free range hens that have access to green, grassy pastures tend to lay eggs with darker yolks than their caged counterparts. This is primarily due to the carotenoids (yellow, orange, and red plant pigments) found in the clovers, grasses, and other greens that the hens consume outdoors.
Why are farm fresh eggs brown but store bought eggs are white? ›
The eggshell colour depends on the breed of the hen. Generally speaking, white shell eggs come from hens with white feathers, while brown shell eggs are produced by hens with brown feathers. Nutritionally, both brown and white eggs are identical unless the feed has been enhanced for speciality eggs such as Omega-3.
Do fresh chicken eggs taste different than store bought? ›
So here at Dine a Chook, we can conclude that while fresh eggs may not strictly taste different from store eggs, they have a better texture, keep longer and are also more nutritious. And these other benefits make them far tastier in our eyes!
there is no difference between white or brown eggs. I recently asked a farmer if there was, and was told that some chickens lay white eggs, and others lay brown. As cheesy as it may sound, chickens don’t discriminate and neither should you, unless you are given the choice between farm fresh and store bought.