Everyone’s switching over to farm-fresh eggs this year for a healthier, more natural product. But aside from seeking higher quality and richer flavor, what exactly sets them apart from the store-bought eggs we’ve grown accustomed to?
Beyond the price and wide spectrum of colors, there’s a whole range of benefits that make farm-fresh eggs stand out. From taste to nutritional value, and even the living conditions of the hen’s. But there is so much more than meets the eye when it comes to choosing what is arguably the better option!
If you’re ready to explore the fascinating world of farm-fresh eggs, continue reading to learn how exactly fresh stands out from the rest!
What Exactly Are Farm-Fresh Eggs?
Eggs that receive the label “farm-fresh”, typically come from chickens that have the freedom to roam outdoors and forage for their own food, promoting a natural, more healthier lifestyle.
They’re usually sold straight from small farms, and are often favored over the commercial eggs that dominate grocery store shelves.
But unlike commercial conditions where hens are overcrowded and fed grain-based feed, farm-fresh eggs come from hens that have access to a natural diet and a more humane environment. These sustainable conditions and higher quality of life make farm-fresh eggs all the more desirable!
The Flavor Difference: Fresher, Richer, Better
When it comes to flavor, farm-fresh eggs are hands down the better choice. They’re richer, more vibrant, and offer a bold flavor that their rubbery, bland counterparts can’t compete with.
But why is the flavor so noticeably different? Well, it all comes down to the diet. Hen’s that are raised on smaller farms often have the freedom to forage for bugs, weeds, seeds, and other plants to support a well rounded diet. This results in an egg with with a firmer texture and a rich, sweet flavor that factory-farmed eggs just can’t replicate.
Freshness also plays a huge role in the egg’s flavor profile. Unlike store-bought eggs, farm-fresh eggs are usually sold within 1-7 days while grocery store cartons may sit in storage for weeks before being placed on the shelves.
Additionally, the breed of chicken makes quite a difference as well. While most commercial eggs usually come from one breed (White Longhorns), farm-fresh eggs can come from a variety of chickens, each bringing their own unique flavor! Although the difference is slight, next time you crack open a farm-fresh egg, you might just be able to taste the difference!
Nutritional Benefits
Eggs are an excellent source of protein and essential vitamins and minerals. They offer all of your daily essential fatty acids and are the definition of a superfood. But when making the choice between farm-fresh and store-bought the nutritional differences are as clear as day.
Nutritionally speaking, farm-fresh eggs pack a way bigger nutritional punch than their commercial counterparts. Hens that freely roam through pastures have access to multiple food groups like fruits, veggies, and protein, and can produce eggs that are packed with more vitamins and healthy fats.
Commercially farmed hens on the other hand are often fed a strict, grain-based diet that lacks luster and leads to eggs with minimal nutrition.
Studies have shown that farm-fresh eggs can offer up to 25% more vitamin E, 75% more beta-carotene, and 20 times more omega 3 fatty acids than store bought eggs!
If you’re looking for more out of your eggs, farm-fresh eggs are without a doubt the more nutritious choice!
What About Yolk Color?
Although flavor and nutrition can distinquish a farm-fresh egg from a commercial produced one, separating the two based on yolk color is a bit of a grey area.
While some say farm fresh eggs are darker and more yellow than store bought eggs, color doesn’t exactly indicate the value that it brings. The chickens diet is what makes the eggs more nutritonally dense.
Chicken diets consisting of carotenoid-rich foods like marigold and alfalfa can pigment the yolk and give it a brighter yellow-orange hue.
Pasture-raised chickens source these carotenoids (color pigments found in food) naturally while some commercial farmers enhance their feed with marigold or synthetic additives to alter the color. This makes the yolks appear brighter even though the nutritional value doesn’t compare.
So while the deep golden color of a farm-fresh egg yolk may seem more appealing, remember that it’s not an indication of nutritional content. But simply a result of the chicken’s diet!
Color Of The Eggshell
Another colorful way to tell the difference between a farm-fresh egg and a store-bought egg is by the color of their eggshells. While most eggs you find at the grocery store are white, farm-fresh eggs offer a wide range of colors from brown to blue (my favorite color!), and even spotted!
But here’s the catch – eggshell color has nothing to do with nutritional value. The color of the shell actually comes down to the breed and genetics of each chicken.
Most commercial farmers raise White Longhorn chickens due to their high egg-laying capacity – and this breed just so happen to lay white eggs.
Local farmers can also raise white egg-laying chickens, but their eggs are unmatched to those at the grocery store.
Picking a carton of full of bright colorful eggs is definitely more exciting, but don’t be fooled into thinking one is healthier than the other.
Whether you prefer colorful eggs or the classic white eggshell, the real difference is what lies inside!
The Takeaway
So what’s the takeaway – what separates farm-fresh eggs from store-bought?
When it comes to choosing any egg, there is no doubt that fresh is better than the rest. And while commercial eggs are convenient and readily available, they simply can’t compete with the rich flavor, superior nutrition, and humane farming practices of farm-fresh eggs!
Looking to switch to farm-fresh but don’t know where to look?
If you’re convinced that fresh is best, and you want to make the switch to farm-fresh eggs, here are a few tips that may help you find them!
- Use Social Media – Lots of small farms sell right from their property and use online platforms like Instagram or Facebook to promote their products.
- Visit Farmers Markets – Markets are the perfect place to find local farmers ready to sell their fresh eggs. You can even ask them how they raise their chickens and what their farming practices are.
- Ask A Friend – Know someone who raises their own chickens? Ask if they’re looking to sell their eggs, and if you can buy directly from them! Good family friends of mine own Naxa Arrow Farm Animal Rescue and offer their chicken eggs to the local community! During my most recent visit I was even able to take home my first emu egg! (See picture below!)
- Consider Raising Your Own Hens – Raising chickens could be fun, and with enough space and time you can enjoy fresh eggs right from your own backyard!
Emma’s Egg
This egg belongs to the lovely but sassy emu, Emma, at Naxa Arrow Farm in Southern New Jersey. She is one of the many animals brought in by this incredible non-profit rescue farm, where she is surrounded by love and cared for by amazing people!
If you’ve switched to eating farm-fresh eggs, drop a comment below and let me know how you found your source!
