Decoding eggshell colours: How chicken breed and not diet determine your egg's hue

Chicken eggs are a staple in British cuisine. We add them to cakes, salads, and sandwiches. They are an abundant source of vitamins, minerals, and protein. Different types of eggs are available in the market, which differ from each other based on the breed of chicken, size, and colour.

There are discussions on the internet suggesting that light brown eggs are superior to white ones, with the latter often being unfairly labelled as artificial - but the fact of the matter is different. The colour of the shell does not affect the taste of the egg or its nutritional properties.

Contrary to popular belief, the colour of the shell doesn't depend on the hens' diet, but on their plumage. Thus, the darker the chicken, the darker their eggshells. White chickens lay white eggs. The shell colour primarily depends on the breed of the chicken.

In the UK, popular breeds include Rhode Island Red, known as carmine, or the popular brown layers from backyard farms. The Plymouth Rock breed, known for its attractive, grouse-like plumage and good health, is also favoured among chicken farmers.

Before you eat a store-bought egg, it's a good idea to check if it's fresh to avoid an unpleasant surprise. To test, simply fill a glass with water and gently place the egg in it.

If the egg sinks completely to the bottom, it's fresh and it's about 3 days old. You can tell a week-old egg if its "bottom," or wider side, starts to gently float up in the water. The older the egg, the more it will float due to the increasing size of the air bubble inside it.