By Courtney Pankrat
In setting up a 'from scratch' kitchen, fresh, local eggs are a must. Egg laying hens are some of the most abused animals in the food system so it is important to buy eggs from a trusted source. There's nothing like eating an egg that was laid by hens at a farm where they can walk free and aren't overcrowded.
In setting up a 'from scratch' kitchen, fresh, local eggs are a must. Egg laying hens are some of the most abused animals in the food system so it is important to buy eggs from a trusted source. There's nothing like eating an egg that was laid by hens at a farm where they can walk free and aren't overcrowded.
To find local eggs close to you, check out Local Harvest.
Don't worry if the eggs are dirty when you get them. In fact, it's better if they are. When hens lay their eggs, the eggs have a protective layer that preserves the eggs for up to a month. When eggs are washed, that layer is striped away and the eggs will spoil faster. Because of the protective layer, these eggs don't need to be refrigerated. Just wash them before you crack them!
Another interesting fact about eggs is that the yolks change colors depending on what they are fed. Corn fed chickens will lay eggs with yellow yolks while the yolks from grass fed chickens will be bright orange!
With winter coming, hens lay less eggs so they may be harder to find from your local farm. If you have to buy them from there store, here are some things to look for:
Free-range vs cage-free
They both sound good but cage-free just means that the hens aren't in a cage. They can still be in an overcrowded warehouse, never allowed to see the light of day. Look for free-range eggs.
Organic
Organic means they haven't been fed antibiotics. That's good. Although organic isn't the be-all-end-all. The eggs from a local farm may not be certified organic because it's expensive to get certified.
Here's a handy chart from the humane society with more information:
Don't worry if the eggs are dirty when you get them. In fact, it's better if they are. When hens lay their eggs, the eggs have a protective layer that preserves the eggs for up to a month. When eggs are washed, that layer is striped away and the eggs will spoil faster. Because of the protective layer, these eggs don't need to be refrigerated. Just wash them before you crack them!
Another interesting fact about eggs is that the yolks change colors depending on what they are fed. Corn fed chickens will lay eggs with yellow yolks while the yolks from grass fed chickens will be bright orange!
With winter coming, hens lay less eggs so they may be harder to find from your local farm. If you have to buy them from there store, here are some things to look for:
Free-range vs cage-free
They both sound good but cage-free just means that the hens aren't in a cage. They can still be in an overcrowded warehouse, never allowed to see the light of day. Look for free-range eggs.
Organic
Organic means they haven't been fed antibiotics. That's good. Although organic isn't the be-all-end-all. The eggs from a local farm may not be certified organic because it's expensive to get certified.
Here's a handy chart from the humane society with more information:
Labeling is confusing. And companies like to keep you confused. Do your best. That's all you can really do!