Cook's Illustrated

Egg Buying and Storage 101

Did you know that there are more hens than people in Iowa? Or that an average American eats about 279 eggs per year? We didn’t either. Welcome to the wonderful world of eggs, an expansive realm shrouded in mystery—but not for long. With the help of Dianna Bourassa, an assistant professor and extension specialist at the Department of Poultry Science at Auburn University in Alabama, we demystify buying and storing eggs and share some weird and wonderful facts along the way.

HERE’S WHAT MATTERS (AND WHAT DOESN’T) WHEN BUYING EGGS

DON’T SWEAT IT: Five Things You Can Ignore

Eggshell Color: While the most common shell colors are white and brown, you can find blue or even green eggs in some cartons. The good news: There’s no nutritional or flavor difference between them, so pick whichever suits your fancy

Grading indicates not only freshness but also the quality of the eggshell, with

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