One of the biggest complaints that we get from our customers is that Breadfast eggs have orange yolks. After all, normal egg yolks are supposed to be yellow, right?
Not quite!
A Mark of Eggcellence
Apparently, one of the best signs of a good egg is golden orange yolk. This usually indicates that the chicken had a better diet and was most likely pasture-raised with access to the outdoors. The dark orange is a classic indicator of cartenoids, which are beneficial antioxidants that strengthen your immune system and prevent you from getting diseases. These are yellow, orange, and red pigments present in foods like pumpkins, carrots, salmon, shrimp, tomatoes, and corn. And when your egg’s yolk is orange, that means that your chicken had a rich herbivore diet with fruits, fresh greens, carrots, sweet potatoes, and insects (worms, grubs, and crickets.) Healthier chickens produce better quality eggs that may have lower cholesterol, and higher levels of vitamins A, E, D, and omega 3.
On the other hand, the yellow yolks that we’re so used to usually reveal that the chickens were raised in a factory setting with little to no access to light. A lack of orange color indicates lower cartenoids. The hens were probably fed an unhealthy “vegetarian fed” diet consisting mostly of grains when a balanced meal should include both insects and vegetables. And as a result, the yellow-yolked eggs will have lower nutritional levels of Vitamins A, C, and omega fatty acids.
Be an Egg-spert!
In addition to getting more nutrients, some also claim that orange yolks are richer and creamier. So the next time you crack your egg to reveal that beautiful sunset orange color, don’t freak out! Take it as a sign to get some more egg-stra healthy goodness. (Yes, I know that cracking these egg puns are bad. No, I’m not sorry.)
