The 411 on Eggs

Picture yourself strolling down the dairy aisle in your local supermarket. You have eggs on your list and as you approach the egg section, you’re hit with what seems like a hundred or more labels, types and colors from a variety of different brands. Where do you start?

Although most eggs look virtually the same, aside from the size and color if you prefer brown over white, the different titles actually indicate not all eggs are created equal. Here’s what you need to know:

Kosher

Just about every egg out there is kosher, as long as they’re not cracked or broken. Be sure to check the carton before placing them in your cart.

Free-Range/Cage-Free

If you’ve ever visited an egg-laying hen cage, you probably noticed the conditions aren’t so great. They’re cramped mesh cells that prevent hens from stretching their wings and nesting. In simple terms, the only thing hens can do in cages is in fact, lay eggs.

Cage-free means the hens aren’t kept in cages, but it doesn’t necessarily mean they are free to run around. Free-range eggs are the better option, because it means the chickens must have access to the outdoors. Whether they choose to go outside though, is up to them.

Pastured

Pasture-raised hens are your best bet. They usually live outdoors and eat seeds and insects – both of which could improve the taste and overall nutrition of the eggs.

Still not sure what to look for? Read up the differences between eggs before you take your next trip to the grocery store.

Chip’s Family Restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner to customers in Fairfield, Orange, Southbury, Trumbull and Wethersfield, Connecticut. Breakfast is served all day, and customers can even place an order online for pickup. For more information about locations and menu items, please click on the tabs above.