Egg Buyer's Guide

Shopping tips and information for buying fresh eggs

What do all those claims that are crowded onto egg cartons these days—really mean? And how do you know how to buy good eggs? Here’s help:

Recipes to Try:

More Shopping Tips for Fresh Eggs

How Fresh Are My Eggs?

Eggs lose water through their shells during storage. When moisture leaves the egg, the air space within the shell enlarges. To test for freshness, place whole eggs in a bowl of water. A fresher egg will hover closer to the bottom of the bowl. If the egg floats to the top, discard it. It’s past its prime. Or you can just go by the expiration date on the carton.

What Size and Color?

Eggs range in size from Jumbo to Pee Wee. Size depends on the breed and age of the hen. The color of the eggshell varies with the bird’s feathers and earlobes. White eggs come from white hens with white earlobes, brown eggs come from red hens with red earlobes. The color of the eggshell does not affect nutrition.

Know Your Egg Nutrition

One large egg contains 72 calories, 5 grams of fat and 6 grams of protein. Egg yolks are an excellent source of choline—an essential nutrient that is important for brain and nerve function and may help prevent memory loss associated with aging.

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