Six Common Egg Myths That Many Argue Are Factual – And Why They Aren’t!
Eggs are basic food staples and deservedly so too because not only do they afford nutritional benefits, they can be eaten in several ways, cooked easily and very fast too. However, the popularity of eggs also always makes them the object of unfounded beliefs. These include statements like brown eggs are the most nutritious, blood spots are signs of fertilization, and many more.
Like typical myths, unfounded beliefs surrounding eggs may seem logical when explained, take, for example, the statement that a blood spot in eggs shows that the egg was fertilized and could have grown into a full animal.
LOL! Nuh-uh, believe it or not, there is no scientific finding to back that up!
Unlike the example above, however, there are many other egg myths that never really did seem believable. Either way, here are six myths about eggs (mainly from chicken) you have probably heard and that we are confidently going to debunk!
1. "All eggs should be kept in the fridge."
This is dependent on where you live and, more generally, the accepted practices of poultry farmers in your state. In the United States, keeping eggs in the fridge is commonly encouraged.
This is because egg producers are required to wash their eggs to prevent salmonella infection. However, this erodes the protective cuticle of the eggs to an extent, so keeping them in the fridge is crucial as it prevents the growth of bacteria.
On the other hand, egg producers in the United Kingdom and many other places around the world are prohibited from washing eggs, believing that the protective cuticle is enough to prevent infections of any kind.
In conclusion, if you wash your eggs, you're probably going to erode the cuticles, so keep them in the fridge. If otherwise, you can store them in the pantry.
Make sure to stick to one!
2. "Blood spots in eggs are a sign of fertilization."
Unlike common beliefs, the blood spots that are found in eggs are merely a sign of rupturing of blood vessels when the egg was being formed inside the hen.
These are rarely seen, so you don't have to worry. When you do see such, note that it doesn't make the egg unsafe for eating.
As long as you cook it properly, the egg can be eaten.
3. "Raw eggs have more protein content than cooked eggs."
This couldn't be more wrong! As a matter of fact, eating raw eggs poses significant danger – that is, a salmonella infection! – to your health.
Also, raw eggs are no better protein source than cooked ones, with experts confirming that the human body gets more protein from cooked ones.
4. "You can't eat eggs when it is past the sell-by date."
This is yet another common statement that should be forgotten! While it is best advised that you should buy eggs before their sell-by date, that is not the actual time they start to rot.
Instead, look out for the carton's pack date; it gives more accurate information about how fresh the eggs are.
Furthermore, eggs that are stored in the fridge are safe for eating for as long as four to five weeks after the pack date.
5. "Brown eggs are more nutritious than white eggs."
The color or shape of an egg does not affect its nutritional value. So, you can confidently argue that the statement that brown eggs are more nutritious than white ones is FALSE!
6. "Small chickens always lay tiny eggs, and large chickens only lay big eggs."
Sometimes, this may be true, but it is not for all of the time. Experts share that the size of the parent chickens is not a determinant of that of the eggs. It is the age that matters the most as older chickens lay larger eggs.
There you have it! Have you ever heard of any of these before, or have you been a preacher yourself? Share this piece to debunk the myths!
