Is yolk colour an indicator of egg quality?

Amid news of contaminated foods and restaurants and warehouses violating food storage norms, it has become essential to know and understand your food and always read labels. So, when we saw a social media post suggesting that the colour of egg yolk is different in white and brown eggs, which also equals different nutritional values, we were stumped.

The followers, too, pointed out writing comments like: “dude you are wrong, stop spreading wrong information,” “Everything is the same..difference of colour is only due to breed and diet”. With no option left for us to verify, we turned to experts.

Here’s what we found out:

While most eggs are white or brown, they also come in colours like cream, pink, blue, and green. Chicken earlobes help predict egg colour, mentioned Dt Priyanka Bandal, senior dietician, Manipal Hospitals, Baner, Pune.

Let’s find out the difference (Source: Pixabay)

According to Dr Bandal, all eggs are initially white because the shells are made from calcium carbonate. “They get their colour from the hen’s genetics as the egg forms. Chickens with lighter earlobes also have white feathers and produce white eggs. Those with coloured feathers and darker earlobes will likely produce coloured eggs,” said Dr Bandal.

 

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However, she added that the hen’s diet does affect the colour of the yolk, emphasised Dr Bandal. “For example, if a pasture-raised hen eats plants with yellowish-orange pigmentation, the yolks can take on a more orange colour. If she eats mainly a corn- or grain-based diet, the yolk is more likely to be a pale yellow. Research shows that darker, more colourful yolks have the same amount of protein and fat as lighter yolks,” said Dr Bandal.

Different breeds and ages of hens can also influence yolk colour but to a lesser extent than diet, mentioned Dt Amreen Shaikh, head dietician, Wockhardt Hospitals, Mumbai Central.

Yolk colour is not an indicator of egg quality, freshness, or the hen’s welfare, experts urge.

Despite colour differences, the nutritional content—proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals—of egg yolks is generally the same, said Shaikh. “Yolk colour can affect taste and texture perception in culinary uses but not health directly,” urged Shaikh.

Whether you buy white eggs or brown eggs, the colour of free-range egg yolks can vary significantly and is primarily influenced by the hen’s diet, reiterated Dr Bandal. “While darker yolks might offer slightly higher levels of beneficial carotenoids, the difference in yolk colour does not have a significant impact on health. The choice of eggs should be based on personal preference and dietary needs rather than yolk colour alone,” said Shaikh.

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