This Is Rachael Ray's Favorite Type Of Chicken Eggs

An egg is an egg is an egg ... right? Not quite, and your favorite celebrity chefs often have preferred eggs that they'll pick over any other when they're available. As for Rachael Ray, while her range of television shows and line of cookbooks may convince you that she's all about the convenient and affordable, she's actually pretty picky about her morning eggs. According to Food Network, Ray considers eggs "one of those grocery items worth paying a premium for." She always prefers cage-free eggs from small farms, but if she can have her ultimate pick, she's going straight for Araucana eggs.

What exactly makes Araucana eggs so special? Sourced from a breed of South American chicken, Araucana eggs are small and Pinterest-perfect in appearance, with a blue-green hue that screams springtime. But beyond the visual appeal, Araucana eggs are pretty much the same as your average white eggs. In fact, there's even reports that say the eggs have been used on episodes of "Chopped" as an effort to trip up contestants, making them think the vibrant color equals a differing taste. However, the flavor is pretty much exactly the same as normal eggs. 

There are a lot of rumors circulating around Araucana eggs. Some claim that the blue eggs really do have a better flavor (maybe that's just something consumers tell themselves, though, to make the price of the expensive eggs a little more palatable). Others claim that Araucana eggs contain less cholesterol than their white or brown counterparts, but the science isn't there to back it up. Turns out, all the hype and the hefty price tag can be tacked up to rarity. You won't find dozens and dozens of blue eggs stocked at your local big-box grocery store or in the cooler at the gas station. 

Likewise, the hens that lay blue and colored eggs, both Araucana and otherwise, aren't as preferred by farmers. According to Reader's Digest, "Hens who produce colored eggshells ... tend to be larger and require more feed and energy to create that painted layer. Since those breeds cost more to feed, their eggs are more expensive." So, the next time you see colored eggs available at your local farmers market or specialty grocery store, don't be fooled by tales of a better taste or lower cholesterol — but feel free to fall in love with these gorgeous eggs' picture-perfect hue.