What the Colour and Texture of an Eggshell Can Tell You
At first glance, an eggshell might seem like just a simple protective layer. But if you take a closer look, you’ll find that its colour and texture can reveal a lot about the egg’s origin, the health of the hen, and even the egg’s freshness. Understanding these subtle clues can help you choose better eggs and appreciate the natural diversity that comes with them.
What Determines Eggshell Colour?
Many people believe that brown eggs are healthier than white eggs — but that’s a myth. The colour of an eggshell is determined by the breed of the hen and has no significant impact on the nutritional content of the egg.
- White Eggs: Laid by hens with white feathers and white or light-coloured earlobes (e.g., White Leghorns).
- Brown Eggs: Laid by hens with red feathers and red earlobes (e.g., Rhode Island Reds, Plymouth Rocks).
- Other Colours: Some breeds, like the Araucana or Ameraucana, lay blue or green eggs due to specific genetic traits.
In short, shell colour is a genetic trait, much like eye colour in humans. The inside of the egg — the part you eat — remains virtually the same in taste and nutrition.
What Texture Tells You About Egg Quality and Hen Health
The feel of an eggshell can also tell a story about the hen and the egg itself:
- Smooth, Clean Shells
- What it means: A healthy hen and good laying conditions.
- A smooth shell usually means the hen’s diet is well-balanced, particularly with enough calcium.
- Rough or Bumpy Shells
- What it means: Minor calcium imbalance, aging hens, or stress during shell formation.
- These eggs are still safe to eat, but roughness can slightly weaken shell strength.
- Thin or Fragile Shells
- What it means: Calcium deficiency, stress, or illness in the hen.
- Handle with care — they are more likely to crack and may have a shorter shelf life.
- Speckled Shells
- What it means: Normal variation, especially common in brown eggs.
- Speckles are simply deposits of extra pigment and do not affect the egg’s quality or taste.
- Shell-less or Soft-Shell Eggs
- What it means: Severe calcium deficiency, very young hens (just starting to lay), or illness.
- These eggs should be handled cautiously and eaten quickly if fresh, or discarded if suspicious.
Freshness and Shell Appearance
Shell texture can even hint at an egg’s freshness. Fresh eggs usually have:
- A matte finish and a slight roughness.
- An egg that feels extra smooth and shiny may have been coated to preserve shelf life, or it could simply be older.
To check freshness more accurately, you can also use the float test: Place the egg in a bowl of water — fresh eggs sink, while older eggs tend to float.
The next time you crack an egg, take a moment to notice its shell. The colour tells you about the hen’s breed, while the texture offers clues about the hen’s health, diet, and even the egg’s age. Armed with this knowledge, you can better appreciate the natural variations in farm-fresh eggs — and choose the best ones for your table.
