Why are eggs better in Italy?


Head to an Italian grocery store and you’ll find eggs on grocery store shelves and never refrigerated. There’s a reason for this. Eggs have a protective outer layer that protects them from disease and bacteria. Italian eggs are gently wiped clean from debris before they’re packaged and ready for sale, but never washed.

Why are European eggs different?

Europe takes a different approach to prevent salmonella contamination. Eggs are not washed and therefore are not required to be chilled, since the “priority in egg production is to produce clean eggs at the point of collection, rather than trying to clean them afterwards,” according to food-safety officials in Ireland.

Why are eggs in Italy orange?

Hens that truly are pasture-raised, foraging on green plants and bugs, have a diet full of these carotenoids. As a result, their yolks have this bright orange color, so this color is a sign of a healthy diet full or nutrients.

Why are eggs in Italy so yellow?

According to the Cooking Exchange forum, the yellow color from eggs is derived from vitamin A and because the chickens that call the Italian countryside home are fed a diet high in vitamin A, the yellow of the yolk is quite a bit brighter than what you find in the United States, where eggs are mass-produced.

Why are eggs in Italy orange?

Hens that truly are pasture-raised, foraging on green plants and bugs, have a diet full of these carotenoids. As a result, their yolks have this bright orange color, so this color is a sign of a healthy diet full or nutrients.

Which country has the best quality eggs?

China (24.8 billion kilograms in shell) China ranks highest in egg production at 24.8 billion kilograms of unprocessed, in-shell hen’s eggs produced annually.

Why are eggs better in Europe?

In some European countries, egg-laying hens are vaccinated against salmonella. In the U.S., vaccination is not required, but eggs must be washed and refrigerated from farm to store, and producers must follow a host of other safety measures.

Why do Italians not refrigerate eggs?

European food safety experts took a different tack: They left the cuticle intact, made it illegal for egg producers to wash eggs, discouraged refrigeration (which can cause mildew growth—and bacterial contamination—should the eggs sweat as they come back to room temps), and started a program of vaccinating chickens …

Why are Italian eggs not refrigerated?

Head to an Italian grocery store and you’ll find eggs on grocery store shelves and never refrigerated. There’s a reason for this. Eggs have a protective outer layer that protects them from disease and bacteria. Italian eggs are gently wiped clean from debris before they’re packaged and ready for sale, but never washed.

Do Italians refrigerate their eggs?

Italy, the UK, and other parts of Europe don’t have mandatory refrigeration. As a matter of fact, they have the opposite policy: refrigeration is forbidden until the eggs reach their final storage destination (the home fridge).

Do European eggs taste better?

English eggs look and taste very different from American ones. The yolks are more orange and they taste slightly richer. They also taste fresher and more flavorful than your average American factory farm egg.

Do Italians eat scrambled eggs?

Having pancakes or even a traditional English breakfast like scrambled eggs, sausages and bacon is not common in Italy and is hard to come by. Instead, what you’ll find is a quick and simple meal that smells of baked goods and fresh coffee.

How are eggs eaten in Italy?

In Italy, eggs are usually eaten hard-boiled on a lunchtime salad or sandwich, or as a frittata (open-faced omelet) for dinner.

Are brown eggs healthier than white?

Shell color can influence people’s choice of eggs, and some people believe that brown eggs are superior or healthier. However, there is no significant difference in nutrients between brown and white eggs.

Which eggs are the best?

Grade AA: These are the highest grade with the most nutritional value. The whites of these eggs will be firm and thick and the yolks will be near perfectly round. These also have strong, oval-shaped shells. Grade A: These eggs are considered equal with Grade AA, but the whites of these eggs may be a little less firm.

Why do they not refrigerate eggs in Europe?

In Europe, farms vaccinate chickens against salmonella. That means the cuticle is still intact when eggs are sold. Refrigerating eggs with the cuticle intact could actually cause mildew to grow.

Why do the British not refrigerate eggs?

British authorities actually discourage refrigerating eggs on the theory that chilling and then warming could create condensation, which would allow salmonella to penetrate the shell.

Why do American eggs look different?

Many large scale egg production facilities in the US feed their chickens cheap grain and corn mixed with supplements and antibiotics to keep them healthy, instead of feeding them a more balanced and higher-quality diet. This grain and corn diet causes pale yellow yolks.

Why are they allowed to keep eggs out of the refrigerator in Europe?

In the US, eggs that aren’t refrigerated could cause salmonella poisoning—meanwhile, Europe considers it a health risk if eggs are refrigerated. This cultural difference stems from the way eggs are processed before they reach stores.

Why are eggs in Italy orange?

Hens that truly are pasture-raised, foraging on green plants and bugs, have a diet full of these carotenoids. As a result, their yolks have this bright orange color, so this color is a sign of a healthy diet full or nutrients.

Why are eggs in USA so white?

However, many people don’t know what causes eggs to have different colors. The answer is quite simple — egg color depends on the breed of the chicken. For example, White Leghorn chickens lay white-shelled eggs, while Plymouth Rocks and Rhode Island Reds lay brown-shelled eggs ( 1 , 2 ).

Why do American eggs look different?

Many large scale egg production facilities in the US feed their chickens cheap grain and corn mixed with supplements and antibiotics to keep them healthy, instead of feeding them a more balanced and higher-quality diet. This grain and corn diet causes pale yellow yolks.

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