Are Brown Eggs Really Worth The Extra Cost?

Americans like their eggs. They ate nearly 290 per person in 2019 and on track to consume even more in 2020 (via Statista). That's a lot of scrambling, sunny-side up, and omelet making over the course of a single year. Eggs are the frugal shopper's friend. Full of protein and not likely to break the grocery budget, eggs are a versatile food that creates ease in the kitchen when feeding a crowd in a pinch. And while we've all heard the saying, you should never judge a book by its cover, similarly, you should never judge an egg by its color or you might end up paying more money than you need to. 

Is no secret brown eggs are going to cost more than white eggs. According to Consumer Reports, brown eggs can end up running you almost $2 more per dozen than white eggs in some cases. Why are some people willing to shell out more money for brown eggs? Healthline noted that some people who prefer to purchase brown eggs do so under the false assumption that they are healthier than white eggs. It's crazy enough to make you think someone other than the chickens has flown the coup. Why the disparity between the two kinds of eggs? Why are brown eggs more expensive than white eggs and are they worth the cost?  

First, according to a USA Today 10 Best article, the real reason brown eggs are more expensive than white eggs is that it costs more money to feed the chickens that lay brown eggs. These hens require more energy to lay their eggs and therefore eat more. That cost is then passed along to the consumer. But are they any better than white eggs? Other than the color of their shells being different, once you crack the white and brown egg, they seem like, well, eggs. They still contain a yellow yolk and some gelatin-like egg white surrounding it. 

Nutritionally speaking, white and brown eggs are essentially the same. Brown eggs have no superiority over white eggs or vice versa (via Best Food Facts). In fact, Marc Dresner, manager of marketing and communications for the American Egg Board, told Huff Post, that brown eggs aren't as popular as white eggs for the simple fact that white eggs are cheaper. This goes for both individual households and commercial business use. Bottom line: if you are looking for ways to trim some of the fat from your grocery bill, forgo the brown eggs and go for the white. Your pocketbook will thank you.