Why the Color of Egg Yolk is So Revealing

When you crack an egg, you may have noticed that the yolk is not always the same color. Both the consistency and the hue can vary from one egg to another. This is due to different factors. Discover everything that the color of the egg yolk can reveal to you.Hen's DietThe color of an egg yolk is primarily determined by the hen's diet. This means that if a hen consumes corn, the yolk will be a bit more orange. Conversely, when hens are fed wheat or barley, the result is a yolk with a pale hue closer to yellow.Egg QualityIt was once believed that the color of the yolk determined the quality of an egg. For this reason, pale yolks were considered indicators of poor nutrition, while yolks with more intense orange tones were seen as a guarantee of quality. We now know that the color of the yolk depends on the type of feed the hen receives and is not necessarily related to the quality of the egg.Freshness IndicatorsWhen choosing an egg, there are other factors, aside from the color of the yolk, that can help you identify a good quality one. For example, the consistency of the egg white should be dense, and its color should be practically transparent. If you come across an egg with very runny egg white or with brown, green, or black hues, it means that it is not fresh or is contaminated. Before cracking an egg, you can know how fresh it is. You just need to place the egg in a glass of water. If the egg sinks, it means it is fresh. The more it floats, the older it will be.Don't be misled by the color of the yolk. Many producers use colorants (both natural and artificial) to modify the color, so this is no longer a determining factor of quality or freshness. If you are interested in consuming fresh and quality eggs, reach out to local producers. In these farms, hens are usually fed naturally under more optimal conditions that ensure the quality of the product.