Farm Fresh Eggs From My Chickens Are Much Yellower

The color of egg yolks can range from pale yellow to deep orange. We break down eggs-actly why that happens, and what color means for flavor and nutrition.

We've all seen the rainbow of colors eggshells come in, but did you know that egg yolks come in a variety of shades as well? We've all seen the pale yellow egg yolks found in store-bought cartons and you've likely encountered the richly hued orange egg yolks when you pick up eggs at a farmers market. Either way, they make for a tasty morning scrambled egg feast!

But do you ever wonder why some egg yolks are darker than others? Stick around and we'll break it down for you.

The Secret Behind Egg Yolk Color

Despite this common misconception, the exact shade of your egg yolks has nothing to do with the chicken breed–although it can affect the color of the eggshell. The shade of an egg yolk is completely determined by the hen's diet. Hens who are given feed full of yellow-orange pigments will lay eggs with darker yolks. It's as simple as that! No artificial coloring is allowed in chicken feed, but some farmers will add marigold petals to give egg yolks an orangey color boost. Reddish yolks are made possible by adding capsicum (i.e. red bell peppers) to chicken feed, and throwing in a dash of paprika can have the same effect.

(Is a carton of "cage-free" eggs worth the extra cost? Here's our guide on how to choose the best eggs.)

What Egg Yolk Color Means for Your Health

Okay, so now we know why egg yolks can vary in color. But does a darker yolk mean a more nutrient-rich egg? You may be surprised to find out that this actually isn't the case! A pale yellow yolk and a deep orange-gold yolk will have the same amount of protein and fat, although a darker yolk may mean more vitamins and less cholesterol. But the jury is still out on that one.

That said, some folks swear (the author included!) that the darker the yolk, the tastier the egg. You may not notice it as much in a hearty breakfast casserole, but when it comes to a relatively simple French omelet with a few ingredients, an egg with a darker yolk can give your breakfast a major flavor boost.

Regardless of the color of your yolk, eggs are a great way to get extra protein in your diet–plus a bunch of other health benefits.

Our 50 Best Egg Recipes

BLT Egg Bake

[rms_recipe id="11840" title="Scotch Eggs" cta_text="Go to Recipe" image="https://www.tasteofhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Scotch-Eggs_EXPS_FT21_11840_F_0225_1-2.jpg" image_alt_text="Scotch Eggs Recipe photo by Taste of Home" link="https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/scotch-eggs/"]A crispy coating made with cornflakes and pork sausage dresses up this Scotch egg recipe. They're fabulous hot out of the oven. Or enjoy them cold for a snack. —Dorothy Smith, El Dorado, Arkansas

Zucchini Egg Skillet

My neighbor shared more zucchini from his garden than I knew what to do with. He loved this recipe—it's great for brunch or a special breakfast. —Darcy Kennedy, Hendersonvlle, North Carolina

Ham & Cheddar Breakfast Casserole

Easy and cheesy, my go-to casserole for action-packed mornings has made many appearances at holiday breakfasts, potlucks and even my daughter's college apartment to feed her hungry roommates. —Patty Bernhard, Greenville, Ohio

Yankee Rancheros

After my in-laws began affectionately referring to me as a Yankee, I decided I had to learn to make some Mexican dishes. These are super easy and make my Tex-Mex-loving family happy—even if they do come from a Northerner!. —Darla Andrews, Schertz, Texas

Breakfast Burger

My husband is big on eggs and bacon, so I wanted to merge his breakfast favorites with a grilled burger for an over-the-top treat. Topping it with my homemade blackberry jam sealed the deal. —Tina Janssen, Walworth, Wisconsin

Sausage Tortilla Breakfast Bake

This casserole is perfect for a special brunch. It combines the spices of the Southwest with the comfort of a hearty breakfast. You can spice it up by adding cayenne and hot peppers, or mellow it by replacing the tomatoes and green chilies with mild salsa. It's versatile and easy—no wonder it's a longtime family favorite. —Darlene Buerger, Peoria, Arizona

Italian Cloud Eggs

Drop egg yolks on nests of whipped Italian-seasoned egg whites, then bake in a cast-iron skillet. Dreamy!—Matthew Hass, Franklin, Wisconsin

Italian Eggs Benedict with Pesto Hollandaise

My husband and I have a standing breakfast date on Saturday mornings. When we want something fancy, we make Italian-inspired eggs Benedict with pesto and prosciutto. —Jackie Dodd, Los Angeles, California

Breakfast Spuds

Here's a dish that has it all—sweet potatoes, eggs, ham and cheese—for a powerful start to the day. —Annie Rundle, Muskego, Wisconsin

Smoked Salmon Deviled Eggs

Flaky salmon and creamy sauce go so well over hard-boiled eggs. Drizzle the sauce or serve it on the side; it's great either way. —Marinela Dragan, Portland, Oregon

Creamy Eggs & Mushrooms Au Gratin

When I want a brunch recipe that has the crowd appeal of scrambled eggs but is a little more special, I turn to this dish. The Parmesan sauce is simple but rich and delicious.—Deb Williams, Peoria, Arizona

Breakfast Bread Bowls

The best part about these creative and convenient bread bowls is that you can fill them with whatever you want. This is one of our favorite breakfasts. —Patrick Lavin, Jr., Birdsboro, Pennsylvania

Italian Brunch Torte

We always serve this impressive layered breakfast bake with a salad of mixed greens and tomato wedges. It is one of our most requested dishes and can be served warm or cold. —Danny Diamond, Farmington Hills, Michigan

Southwestern Hash with Eggs

Before I retired, this all-in-one skillet dish was constantly requested at office brunches. I'd leave out the eggs, double or triple the recipe and wrap servings of the zippy pork mixture in warm corn tortillas. —Barbara Beasley, Beaumont, Texas

Eggsquisite Breakfast Casserole

I developed this recipe over 20 years ago. The rich warm sauce tastes especially great on cold winter mornings. I hope your family enjoys it as much as mine! — Bee Fischer, Jefferson, Wisconsin

Veggie Sausage Strata

As a retired home economics teacher, I've made quite a few recipes through the years. This hearty casserole is a favorite in my family. —Dorothy Erickson, Blue Eye, Missouri

Creamy Egg Salad

I love the versatility of this creamy egg salad. You can serve it on a nest of mixed greens, tucked into a sandwich or with your favorite crisp crackers. —Cynthia Kohlberg, Syracuse, Indiana

Turkey & Stuffing Eggs Benedict

This is a fun way to enjoy holiday leftovers as if presenting them for the first time. Serve for brunch, with champagne and cranberry juice. —Brittany Allyn, Mesa, Arizona

Bacon & Mushroom Omelets

I had grown tired of the same breakfast meals, so I wanted to make something more interesting. These fresh and flavorful omelets come with a versatile sauce that can also be used as a nacho dip. —Susan Kieboam, Streetsboro, Ohio

Cheesy Ham & Egg Sandwiches

I turned classic breakfast sandwiches into something heartier that you could even enjoy for dinner. We pile toppings like salsa and avocado—mayo and ketchup, too—on the homemade biscuits. —Fay Moreland, Wichita Falls, Texas

Brunch Pizza

Whenever I entertain guests, this zippy pizza is a definite crowd-pleaser. It also makes a great late-night snack for any time of the year! —Janelle Lee, Appleton, Wisconsin

Mushroom-Avocado Eggs on Toast

Two of my favorites – mushroom and avocado – make a stacked sandwich fancy enough for company or a weekend breakfast with the family. —Carol McLaughlin, Papillion, Nebraska

Overnight Asparagus Strata

I've made this tasty egg dish for breakfast, brunch, even dinner as a side dish. This is not your run-of-the-mill strata. —Lynn Licata, Sylvania, Ohio

Mini Ham & Cheese Quiches

We bake mini quiches for breakfast or brunch with ham and cheddar in muffin pans. Salad croutons replace the need for a crust. —Lois Enger, Colorado Springs, Colorado

Eggs Benedict with Homemade Hollandaise

Legend has it that poached eggs on an English muffin started at Delmonico's in New York. Here's my take on this brunch classic, and don't spare the hollandaise. —Barbara Pletzke, Herndon, Virginia

Ham & Brie Strata

There's nothing quite like my comfy strata made with Brie, ham and mushrooms. Put it together and bake it now, or hold it overnight to pop into the oven tomorrow. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah

Cheesy Zucchini Quiche

A few years ago, I found this zucchini quiche recipe that's quick to prepare and freezes well, too. Just put it in the refrigerator to thaw overnight and pop it into the oven when you wake up! —Karen Howard, Lakeville, Massachusetts

Ham 'n' Cheese Omelet Roll

This brunch dish has easy ingredients and an impressive look all rolled into one! I love hosting brunch, and this special omelet roll is one of my very favorite items to prepare and share. A platter of these pretty swirled slices disappears fast. —Nancy Daugherty, Portland, Ohio

Secret-Ingredient Stuffed Eggs

My take on deviled eggs is full of surprises. The down-home appetizer Mom used to make gets an upscale touch from mango, goat cheese and pecans. People love these tempting treats. —Beth Satterfield, Dover, Delaware

Sheepherder's Breakfast

My sister-in-law always made this delicious breakfast dish when we were camping and had to come up with good, easy breakfast ideas. Served with toast, juice and milk or coffee, it's a sure hit with the breakfast crowd! One-dish casseroles like this were a big help while I was raising my nine children. Now I've passed this recipe on to them. —Pauletta Bushnell, Albany, Oregon

Cheesy Vegetable Egg Dish

I'm a cook at a Bible camp, and this is one of my most popular recipes. Everyone who tries it raves about it. The one that touched me the most was when a 10-year-old boy asked me for the recipe so he could have his mom make it at home. —Elsie Campbell, Dulzura, California

Makeover Deviled Eggs

This updated version of a classic appetizer uses only half the egg yolks of the original recipe and calls for soft bread crumbs to help firm up the filling. We replaced the mayo with fat-free mayonnaise and reduced-fat sour cream. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Mediterranean Broccoli & Cheese Omelet

My Italian mother-in-law taught me to make this omelet years ago—she would make it for breakfast, lunch or dinner and eat it on Italian bread. This is one of my favorite ways to use up leftover broccoli. —Mary Licata, Pembroke Pines, Florida

Prosciutto-Pesto Breakfast Strata

I'd never tried prosciutto before this recipe, and it instantly made me a die-hard fan! The layers of flavor in this dish are brilliant, making it well worth the time and a must for your recipe box. —Vicki Anderson, Farmington, Minnesota

Stir-Fry Rice Bowl

My meatless version of Korean bibimbap is tasty, pretty and easy to tweak for different spice levels. —Devon Delaney, Westport, Connecticut

Sausage and Egg Casserole

For the perfect combination of eggs, sausage, bread and cheese, this is the dish to try. My mom and I like this sausage breakfast casserole because it bakes up tender and golden, slices beautifully and goes over well whenever we serve it. —Gayle Grigg, Phoenix, Arizona

Baked Cheddar Eggs & Potatoes

I love making breakfast recipes with eggs for dinner, especially this combo with potatoes and cheese that's started in a skillet on the stovetop and then popped into the oven to bake. —Nadine Merheb, Tucson, Arizona

Curried Egg Salad

A curry kick gives this egg salad big appeal. We love it when the weather gets warm. —Joyce McDowell, West Union, Ohio

Amish Breakfast Casserole

We've enjoyed a few hearty breakfast casseroles while visiting an Amish inn. When I asked for a recipe, one of the ladies told me the ingredients right off the top of her head. I modified it to create this quick and easy breakfast casserole my family loves. —Beth Notaro, Kokomo, Indiana

Mushroom Sausage Strata

This flavorful casserole is a hearty mainstay for our family's Christmas Day brunch menu. Being able to assemble the recipe ahead of time is a real plus! —Julie Sterchi, Jackson, Missouri

Italian Garden Frittata

I like to serve this pretty frittata with melon wedges for a delicious breakfast or brunch. —Sally Maloney, Dallas, Georgia

Eggs in Muffin Cups

My mother used to make these all the time for my family, so I'm just carrying on the tradition. They're quick to put together, and while they're in the oven I go get ready for the day. My children loved them, even when they were toddlers. —Lisa Walder, Urbana, Illinois

Italian Sausage Egg Bake

This hearty entree warms up any breakfast or brunch menu with its herb-seasoned flavor. —Darlene Markham, Rochester, New York

Calico Scrambled Eggs

When you're short on time and scrambling to get a meal on the table, this recipe is just what you need. There's a short ingredient list, cooking is kept to a minimum. and the green pepper and tomato makes it colorful. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Eggs Benedict Burgers

To feed my daughter's hungry cowboy friends after a rodeo, I created these with leftover burgers, hollandaise and bacon. They were a huge hit! —Bonnie Geavaras-Bootz, Scottsdale, Arizona

Salsa & Scrambled Egg Sandwiches

Power up with a breakfast that keeps you going all morning long. In my humble opinion, this sandwich tastes so much better than anything that comes from a drive-thru! —Marcia Conlon, Traverse City, Michigan

Frittata Florentine

My family is all about brunchy meals like this gorgeous Italian omelet. Lucky for us, it's loaded with ingredients we tend to have at the ready. —Jenny Flake, Newport Beach, California

Horseradish Deviled Eggs

People say, "Wow!" when they taste these flavorful, tangy horseradish deviled eggs. The bold combination of ground mustard, dill and horseradish is so appealing. The plate is always emptied whenever I serve these eggs. —Ruth Roth, Linville, North Carolina

Brunch Burritos

I like to use a second slow cooker to keep the tortillas warm and pliable when I serve these hearty burritos. Just place a clean wet cloth in the bottom, then cover it with foil and add your tortillas.—Beth Osburn, Levelland, Texas

Shakshuka

Shakshuka is a dish of poached eggs with tomatoes, onion and cumin. I learned about it while traveling, and it's been my favorite way to eat eggs since. —Ezra Weeks, Calgary, Alberta

Fluffy Scrambled Eggs

When our son, Chris, wants something other than cold cereal in the morning, he whips up these eggs. Cheese and evaporated milk make them especially good. They're easy to make when you're camping, too. —Chris Pfleghaar, Elk River, Minnesota

Bistro Breakfast Panini

I tried an omelet that contained brie, bacon and apples and thought it would be tasty as a breakfast panini—so I created this recipe! —Kathy Harding, Richmond, Missouri

Bacon 'n' Egg Lasagna

My sister-in-law served this special dish for Easter breakfast one year, and our whole family loved the mix of bacon, eggs, noodles and cheese. Now I sometimes assemble it the night before and bake it in the morning for a terrific hassle-free brunch entree. —Dianne Meyer, Graniteville, Vermont

Brunch Strata

Ham, zucchini, mushrooms and cheese flavor this rich, hearty egg dish. It looks irresistible on a breakfast or lunch buffet, and it's easy to cut into neat squares. Make sure you bring the recipe—everyone will want it! —Arlene Butler, Ogden, Utah

Asparagus Cream Cheese Omelet

When asparagus is in season, it makes an appearance at almost all of my meals. It tastes fantastic in this cheese omelette, and it looks pretty, too. —Jane Cain, Junction City, Ohio

Canadian Bacon Onion Quiche

For more than 20 years, we sold our homegrown specialty onions at the farmers market. I handed out this favorite recipe for a classic quiche to all our customers. —Janice Redford, Cambridge, Wisconsin

What's in the Fridge Frittata

Great for a last-minute breakfast, brunch or lunch, this special frittata has a combination of crab and Swiss cheese that my guests rave about. I also like to use sausage and cheddar cheese with asparagus. —Deborah Posey, Virginia Beach, Virginia

Brunch Hash & Egg Bake

When my kids were growing up, I was cooking for eight. I couldn't conveniently fry eggs for that many people, so I devised this recipe that became a family favorite. Mild and salty feta cheese is my favorite for the dish, but shredded cheddar or Parmesan work, too. —Lily Julow, Lawrenceville, Georgia

Pesto Egg Salad Sandwiches

For a casual springtime meal with a twist, boil up some eggs and dinner will be done presto. —Tenley Haraldson, Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin

Up Next: 20 Best Quiche Recipes for a Light Meal

Farm Fresh Eggs From My Chickens Are Much Yellower

Source: https://www.tasteofhome.com/article/the-real-reason-why-egg-yolks-are-different-colors/

Share this post