Why can't we buy white eggs in Britain?

[10ClarionSt]

Having just returned from Florida, I noticed over there they only have white eggs. We only have brown eggs. I recall back in the seventies, just after we joined the Common Market, as it was then, all eggs were graded from 1 to 7. At the same time, I remember there was this sales pitch that brown eggs were healthier than white eggs. Is there any truth in this? Why can't we buy white eggs now?

[VillageVicar]

It's a bit like British Rail saying 'the wrong kind of leaves on the tracks.' In this instance...wrong kind of chickens.

However, you can buy white eggs. I pick them up in London, especially around Easter.

Be well

Fr Bill

[VillageVicar]

After I pressed enter I realised that answer may not have made much sense. A farmer once told me that white feathered hens with light coloured ears laid white eggs and hens with dark feathers and coloured ears produce brown eggs. Nutritionally, there is no difference at all.

Best regards

Fr Bill

[VillageVicar]

We get ours from Harvey Nichols or Harrods near Easter time. I personally prefer colouring the brown eggs as with the reds we use, they provide a rich colour. However, the white ones appeal to my daughter...possibly because they're just different.

I wish you success on your ovum hunt!

Fr Bill :-)

[Robinia]

I heard someone saying it was because Joe Public actually prefers brown eggs. Whether they really do I've no idea...maybe it's like supermarkets who seem to think we all want our potatoes, carrots etc all exactly the same size & shape. Well I certainly don't & I don't remember anyone ever asking me if I do.

[indianwells]

If there's no difference to the egg inside what difference does it make what colour the shell is? Do you want them white so they go with your kitchen?

[Robinia]

absolutely Clarion

<puts another spoonful of sugar in tea> :o)

[BBWCHATT]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egg_%28food%29

Shell and its colour

Egg shell color is caused by pigment deposition during egg formation in the oviduct and can vary according to breed, from the more common white or brown to pink or speckled blue-green. Although there is no significant link between shell color and nutritional value, there is often a cultural preference for one color over another. For example, in most regions of the United States, eggs are generally white; while in the northeast of that country and in the United Kingdom, eggs are generally light-brown. In Brazil and Poland, white eggs are generally regarded as industrial, and brown or reddish eggs are preferred. Regarding chicken eggs, the color of the egg depends on the breed of the bird. In general, chicken breeds with white ear lobes lay white eggs, whereas chickens with red ear lobes lay brown eggs.

[redcrx]

I saw them in sainsburys last week.

[Kleiber]

It was a government thing (brainwashing the British Public, as usaual) - I remember when I was a child, we had white eggs. I keep my own chickens now & I have 3 different breeds - Light Sussex (White/light brown eggs), Welsummers (Brown) & Araucanas (Blue). They all taste the same, but my customers like the fact that I do a mixed box of all 3 colours - they look pretty, too. They go down really well, especially at Easter time! Kxx

[Dorotheen]

I have just spent a large part of today wandering into small food shops in the hopes of finding white eggs to dye for Easter. No, the major supermarkets don't appear to stock them - although I have seen some pastel coloured eggs for �2 half a dozen (that's 33p each!!) All of America, all of the German speaking countries and most of central/Eastern Europe colour eggs for Easter and brown eggs are not suitable - white eggs allow you to be creative and get clear colours. Why can't we have the same degree of choice that people on the continent have with the colour of eggs?

[Damballah]

You can at Marks & Spencer.
It's not just Voodoo, it's M&S Voodoo

[Damballah]

You can at Marks & Spencer.
It's not just Voodoo
It's M&S Voodoo