What Eggsactly is the Difference?

By: wes simons | June 15 2010
Posted in Seattle - Find It - Seattle

In a perfect world, we wouldn’t have to choose between eggs from chickens that have been squashed into an overheated and overcrowded pen, and eggs from chickens allowed to walk and eat freely. Unfortunately, overheated and overcrowded pens lead to lower prices and better distribution, so many people don’t see the option to purchase a more environmentally friendly egg.

Photo: Wes Simons

Price

There is certainly a difference in price between a store-bought egg and a farm fresh egg from a local farmer. The farm fresh eggs can cost up to double what the store-bought eggs cost, and the most important question on consumer’s minds is: Are they worth it?

Flavor

Janelle Stokesberry is half of Stokesberry Sustainable Farms, a small, local farm attempting to create the most organic eating experience possible. Eggs from the Stokesberry Farms cost around $4 for a dozen, about twice what eggs from the store cost. “Fresh eggs are slightly sweeter,” Janelle said.

Consistency

Janelle also described a difference in the texture and consistency of the egg white. Eggs that have been sitting on the shelf for a long time will typically run all over the place once you crack them into the pan. Eggs that are fresh from the farm will stay together better and have a more solid appearance. Janelle said that this was a good way to gauge the freshness of an egg.  Due to the white staying together better, poaching a fresh egg much easier than poaching one from the store.

The Ethicurean Issues

Flavor aside, much of the reward of purchasing eggs from a farmers market or local farm is knowing you're supporting your neighbors: hardworking local farmers. In addition to supporting local business, farm fresh eggs may also have a lower occurrence of chemicals and hormones, depending on what the farmer uses for feed. Small-farm chickens are likely to be treated more humanely and allowed to live like chickens: pecking around in the dirt rather than packed into a warehouse. In order to be sure that your eggs are organic and fresh, talk to the farmer about his or her farming methods.

Verdict

That's up to you. But we're curious...what do you buy, and where from? Have you found a big difference between fresh and store-bought eggs?