Size doesn't matter: how to pick the highest quality eggs this holiday season

Not all eggs are created equal. With a variety of types available on supermarket shelves, decision making can often be difficult. Many believe that the largest eggs - the XL size - are the superior choice and would make an impressive display on the Easter table. But is that necessarily the truth? Does the number on the carton hold the key to the best eggs?

If you're eagerly looking forward to Easter eggs and have plans to pick out the largest ones, consider this. An egg classified as XL weighs over 73 grams (approximately 2.6 ounces). However, this doesn't guarantee a significant amount of protein or yolk. This misunderstanding could lead you on a tangent: in this scenario, size isn't the key selection criterion.

Before selecting a carton filled with the largest eggs, remember that you can infer much from packaging about the chickens' rearing methods. If the eggs are large, it's likely they were laid by hens that experienced inappropriate feeding methods. Consequently, even the grandest egg may not be the most nutritious, and it likely has a thin fragile shell. The drawbacks of XL eggs don't stop there; nearly 90% of their content consists of water which doesn't bear the same tastiness as protein and yolk. Does this change your mind about purchasing only these eggs?

If you've consistently bought the biggest and cheapest eggs, it may not have been the best choice. When selecting eggs, the determining factor shouldn't be price. Instead, several critical details impact your health more significantly. Within the European Union, an egg classification system exists, represented by the "X-YY-AABBCCDD" code visible on product packaging. The "X" indicates the method of raising hens, which could be: organic (0), free-range (1), barn (2), or cage (3).

The "YY" symbol signifies the eggs' country of origin, while the remaining numbers are the veterinary identification number. As consumers, the most important detail when purchasing eggs should be the initial digit of the code. Ideally, we should choose eggs with the lowest initial number, indicating that the farmer provided the chickens with appropriate living conditions and diet. In doing this, the eggs you choose will always be of the highest quality and taste.