We welcome you, dearly beloved guests and regular readers of our site! Today we will analyze the categories of chicken eggs, what is their difference and what benefits or harm they contain. Chicken eggs are included in the diet from the first months of a person’s life in the form of complementary foods to provide a sufficient amount of vitamin D to the baby.

In subsequent years, the chicken delicacy is consumed raw, boiled, fried, and added to salads, creams and other dishes. This popularity of the product is due to its beneficial properties.

Eggs are readily used in cosmetology, adding a component to hair masks, shampoos, and other care products, which confirms the value and benefits of this product.

Today the market offers 2 types of chicken eggs that meet the state standard. The division is based on the period and method of storage (age of the product). Both each copy and one package are stamped.

Attention! Both types of eggs are suitable for consumption, taking into account the indicated shelf life. This classification does not show the worst and the best.

• Diet egg – “Young”, i.e. very fresh. Can be eaten raw. It is considered dietary until the seventh day from the moment of laying. Not stored at sub-zero temperatures. Difficult to clean after cooking. Marked with the letter "D".
• Table egg. Shelf life increased to 25 days at room temperature, up to 90 days in the refrigerator. It is not advisable to eat it raw; it should be cooked. Marked with the letter "C".

Information: described in detail in another article, so we will not dwell on this issue.

Egg categories

• The highest category – unit weight from 75.0 grams, large. Giants among their own kind. Designation – “B”.
• The first category - weigh from 55.0 grams to 64-65.0 grams, medium size. Designated as “C1”.
• Second category. Weight ranges from 45.0 -54.8 g, marked “C2”.
• Third category. Small testicles from 35.0 to 45.0 g, stamped “C3”.
• Selected ones weigh 65 – 75g. Slightly smaller than a premium product. Designation – “O”.

Interesting: in recipes, the egg ingredient is meant to weigh 40.0 grams, which corresponds to the 3rd category.

Today, the range of chicken products surprises consumers with their diversity. They sell eggs enriched with selenium and iodine, with two yolks, and different shell colors.

The categories of chicken eggs “bio” and “eco” are assigned if the black whale grew and laid free-range and was fed with natural products. This characteristic is dubious and without guarantee in relation to the CIS countries, unlike its European neighbors.

What are the benefits of chicken eggs?

1. Stimulates brain activity and the process of memorization.
2. They help the liver function, cleanse it of waste and toxins.
3. Prevents the appearance of cataracts.
4. Participate in the normalization of the blood coagulation mechanism.
5. Positively influence sex hormones. Male sperm become more active and of better quality.
6. Calcium helps strengthen teeth, bones, and joints.
7. Has a beneficial effect on the nervous system.
8. Reduces the risk of breast cancer in women.
9. Helps to lose weight due to the content of proteins that satisfy hunger.
10. Recommended for pregnant women. Nutrients will protect the baby from developing certain developmental defects.

Why are chicken eggs harmful?

People suffering from diabetes should not eat this product - it will double the risk of stroke and heart attack.

Those who like to “drink” the delicacy run the risk of becoming infected with salmonella. You can avoid this by washing the product with soap under running water, or better yet, boiling it.

Excessive consumption of yolk increases cholesterol. It is not advisable to eat more than two units a day.

Middle-aged men should not eat more than seven testicles per week, as they contribute to the formation of plaques in the blood vessels: the risk of premature death.

What color eggs are healthier?

So what color shell indicates usefulness? Why are some light, white, others brown? There is no mystery, as well as the dependence of the color of the shell on the quality of the egg. The shade of the outer shell is relevant only to. Choosing light dark specimens is a matter of visual preference.

Preferences for the type, category, and color of a dietary delicacy are individual. They have one thing in common: their usefulness, confirmed by doctors and nutritionists.

Make decisions easily! Good luck!

Evgeny Shmarov

Reading time: 13 minutes

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Chicken egg is the most common food product. Eggs are consumed fresh, boiled, fried, or added to various dishes. Chicken eggs are famous for their beneficial properties, but in some cases they can harm our body.

Let's figure it out...

Types of chicken eggs, categories

In Russia, we can find two types of chicken eggs on store shelves:

• Dietary
  Such eggs do not differ in their composition. They should be eaten within a week and are so named because they have a short shelf life. Another difference is that they can be consumed raw. Please note that they do not clean well when cooked. They must be marked “D”.
• Dining rooms
  Their shelf life is 25 days. These eggs are best consumed boiled or fried. They are marked “C”.

Based on weight and size, chicken eggs are divided into:

• Premium eggs
  According to Russian standards, they are designated “B”. They are large in size and weight - from 75 g and above.
• Selected eggs
  Their marked designation is “O”. They are slightly smaller in size and weight - from 65 to 74.9 g.
• 1 category
  As a rule, eggs that have a category are table eggs. They are designated “C1”. They weigh between 55 and 64.9 g.
• 2 categories – “C2”
  They weigh 45-54.9 g.
• 3 categories – “C3”
  They weigh from 35 to 44.9 g.

Regardless of these classifications, manufacturers today offer a wide variety of types of eggs. For example, enriched iodine, selenium and even double yolks.

Composition, calorie content and nutritional value of a chicken egg - yolk and white

Let's consider the energy value of various eggs:

• 100 g of raw chicken egg contains 157 kcal.
• The same amount of boiled egg contains 158.7 kcal.
• A 100 g serving of fried eggs without oil contains 174.6 kcal.

Note that 1 chicken egg weighs approximately 47 g. Its calorie content is 73.8 kcal.

Let's consider nutritional value of raw chicken eggs

100 g includes:

• 12.7 g protein.
• 11.5 g fat.
• 0.7 g carbohydrates.
• 74.1 g water.
• 3 g unsaturated fatty acids.
• 570 mg cholesterol.
• 0.7 g mono and disaccharides.
• 1 g of ash.

It also contains vitamins:

• Choline – 251 mg.
• E – 2 mg.
• A – 0.25 mg.
• RR – 0.19 mg.
• Beta-carotene – 0.06 mg.
• D – 2.2 mcg.
• Biotin (H) – 20.2 mcg.
• K – 0.3 mcg.
• A (RE) – 260 mcg.
• B vitamins: thiamine (B1) – 0.07 mg, riboflavin (B2) – 0.44 mg, pantothenic acid (B5) – 1.3 mg, pyridoxine (B6) – 0.14 mg, folic acid (B9) – 7 mcg, B12 – 0.52 mcg.

Also in the same there are vital elements:

• Macronutrients: 192 mg phosphorus, 176 mg sulfur, 156 mg chlorine, 140 mg potassium, 134 mg sodium, 55 mg calcium and 12 mg magnesium.
• Microelements: 2.5 mg iron, 1.11 mg zinc, 20 mcg iodine, 83 mcg copper, 0.029 mg manganese, 31.7 mcg selenium, 55 mcg fluoride, 10 mcg cobalt, 6 mcg molybdenum and 4 mcg chromium.

The composition of boiled and fried eggs is slightly different from the composition of raw or fresh eggs.

Nutritional and energy value of protein:

• Calorie content 100 g – 44.4 kcal.
• The white of 1 egg weighs 32 g - 14.2 kcal.
• Water – 87.3 g.
• Proteins – 11.1 g.
• Ash – 0.7 g.
• B vitamins: B2, B5, B6, B9, B12.
• Choline and vitamin H.
• Macro and microelements are the same as in the composition of the whole egg.

Nutritional and energy value of yolk:

• Calorie content - 100 g contains 358 kcal.
• The yolk of 1 egg weighs 15 g - 53.7 kcal.
• Water – 50 g.
• Fats – 30.87 g.
• Proteins – 16.2 g.
• Carbohydrates – 1.78 g.
• Ash – 1g.
• Vitamins, macro and microelements are the same as in the whole egg.

Who benefits from eating chicken eggs and dishes made from them?

Don't forget that a chicken is born from a chicken egg. That is why the egg contains substances and elements that are truly necessary for the growth and development of a living organism.

Let's list the positive properties of a chicken egg

• Well absorbed by the body, approximately 97-98%.
• Improves mood, helps a person cope with depression and has a beneficial effect on his nervous system.
• It is useful for women, as it prevents the development of cancer. The likelihood of tumors occurring in females is reduced to 24%.
• It is recommended to consume 2-3 eggs per day as they may cause breast cancer.
• Helps the body cope with sclerosis.
• Improves memory and mental performance, nourishes the brain.
• Normalizes liver function, removes toxins and waste.
• Improves vision, prevents the development of cataracts.
• Restores the process of production of sex hormones. Eggs are especially beneficial for men, as they improve sperm quality. You can eat 2 pieces per day.
• Normalizes the functioning of the body's circulatory system. Helps blood clot, dissolves plaques on the walls of blood vessels.
• Useful for pregnant women - all the beneficial substances will be transferred to the unborn baby, which will prevent the development of defects and diseases.
• Due to the calcium it contains, it strengthens bones, joints and teeth.
• Stimulates the immune system, helps the body cope with infectious and viral diseases.
• Promotes weight loss as it contains proteins. They don't make us feel hungry. To lose weight quickly, you should eat boiled eggs in the morning.
• It is also recommended to use eggshells. It contains more vitamins than the egg itself. It is recommended to eat crushed shells in courses of 15-20 days, no more than twice a year.

Note that All types of eggs have the above properties. But the healthiest thing is boiled.

Harm of chicken eggs and contraindications

Chicken eggs can be harmful to the body for several reasons.

• They contain large amounts of cholesterol. However, to prevent its level in the blood from rising, you can eat only 2 eggs a day or eat only protein. Doctors advise: to overcome the disease, it is better to eat eggs along with foods that contain antioxidants and reduce the resulting “bad” cholesterol.
• A raw egg may contain a harmful microbe - salmonella. Once it enters the human body, it quickly begins to develop. Its action leads to blood poisoning, unpleasant intestinal diseases and even typhoid. To prevent an ordinary chicken egg from leading to such diseases, you should wash it with soap and not eat it raw.
• Diabetic patients should not eat eggs. Doctors have determined that diabetics who consume chicken eggs double their risk of stroke and heart attack.
• Eating more than 7 eggs per week leads to premature death in middle-aged men. Research by scientists has shown that the risk of death increases by 23% and it directly depends on the formation of fatty plaques in the blood vessels.

Chicken eggs in the diet of children, nursing mothers, pregnant women, allergy sufferers, diabetics - SF answers all questions

At what age can a child be given a chicken egg?

• From 9 months, yolk may appear in a baby’s diet, and white – from 2 years, as it often causes allergies.

Are chicken eggs good for diabetes?

• Chicken eggs are not the main product on the menu for diabetics. It is better to avoid it, since its hypoglycemic index is average - 48.
• In some cases, doctors allow you to eat a boiled egg, but not fried or raw, and add vegetables and herbs to the dish that lower blood sugar levels.
• You can only have 1 egg per day.

Can children or adults be allergic to chicken eggs?

• Only protein causes allergies, so you need to avoid it.
• If you suffer from food allergies, then you can eat a maximum of 1 yolk per day.
• If you have a non-food allergy, then you can take a chance and try protein. Often an adult does not respond.
• But children should be protected from squirrels.

Are chicken eggs good for you during pregnancy?

• By consuming chicken eggs, a pregnant woman will replenish the need for her body and the baby’s body in the required amount of vitamins and minerals.
• Choline, which is included in this nutritious product, will prevent the appearance of diseases, deformities and mental disabilities in the fetus.
• And the expectant mother will not gain weight, since the whites of eggs from chickens are easily digestible and are not stored in fat.
• Nutritionists advise eating 1-2 eggs a day.

Chicken egg in the diet of a nursing mother

• When breastfeeding, the mother must adhere to a strict diet. Since a chicken egg contains protein, to which an allergy may occur, you should avoid eating eggs.
• Some doctors recommend taking a risk and testing the child's reaction. If the baby does not develop a rash, then the nursing mother can safely use this product.

Chicken eggs in the diet - selection, preparation and storage rules

The most popular and delicious egg dishes

• Boiled egg - hard-boiled, soft-boiled
• Egg omelette
• Egg white omelette
• Eggs stuffed with pate, cream or salad
• Olivier salad with egg
• Egg pancakes
• Gogol-mogol
• Ice cream made with milk and chicken eggs
• Pudding
• Liver soufflé with egg
• Egg noodles
• Choux pastry for eclairs
• Egg custard for cakes
• Chinese marinated eggs

Of course, eggs can be consumed not only boiled. Cooks often experiment and serve omelette with different fillings. For example, egg, broccoli or mushrooms. This dish is suitable for both adults and children over three years old.

How to choose the right chicken eggs when buying?

Choosing chicken eggs is not difficult.

Please note that:

• The packaging and eggs were marked designations.
• Not exceeded best before date.
• The eggs were clean, free of feathers and droppings. As a rule, dirty eggs arrive at the store without being sanitized.
• There was no “scramble” in the egg. The yolk will dangle in the egg if it is rotten.

Do white and brown eggs differ in taste and composition?

The composition of eggs does not depend on their color. White hens lay white eggs, while brown hens lay brown or beige eggs.

How to check the freshness of chicken eggs at home?

Let's tell you about a little ingenious trick that many housewives use. Place a fresh egg in a glass of water. If it:

• Floats on the bottom, then the chicken laid it 3-4 days ago.
• Located in a vertical position at the bottom, it was demolished a week ago.
• It pops up, then – more than a week ago.

How to separate the yolk from the white?

There are several ways separating the yolk from the white.

• For this process to proceed correctly and quickly, you should break the egg in half.
• Then pour the yolk from one halves to the other, holding them over a bowl.

Is it possible to eat eggs with blood?

• Notice the blood stained eggs can be consumed. They were formed during the separation of the yolk from a chicken's ovary - a blood vessel burst. This phenomenon often occurs in brown laying hens.
• Eggs in which a large blood ring is visible around the yolk - the circulatory system of the embryo, not worth using.

How to properly boil a hard-boiled and soft-boiled egg?

Let's list a few tricks that will help housewives:

• The boiling time for a soft-boiled egg is 3 minutes.
• To make it “hard boiled”, cook for 7 minutes.

How to boil eggs without them bursting?

Eggs often burst when boiled. Add salt to the water and cook them over low heat.

What can you do to make boiled eggs easy to peel?

To ensure that the eggs clean well, immerse them in cold water after boiling.

How to cook poached eggs?


To boil an egg poached:

1. Add a tablespoon of vinegar to the water.
2. Bring to a boil and swirl the water into the funnel with a spoon.
3. Slowly pour in the broken egg from the bowl.
4. Cook for 2 minutes.

How to determine whether an egg is boiled or raw?

You can tell whether an egg is boiled or raw by rolling it on the table. The boiled spins for a long time and evenly, while the raw one stops quickly.

How to store chicken eggs at home and for how long?

As for storing chicken eggs, you should adhere to the following tips:

• Store eggs in the refrigerator near the back wall. Before putting them in the mold, be sure to wash and wipe dry.
• Store separately from other products. For example, if you put an egg with fragrant tangerines, it will be saturated with this smell through the pores.
• Unpeeled boiled eggs should be eaten within 4 days.
• Separated protein can stay fresh for 2 days.

In stores we are offered white, brown, and also different freshness and categories of chicken eggs. According to current Russian standards, every egg produced at a poultry farm must be marked.

The first sign in the labeling indicates the permissible shelf life. The letter “D” stands for dietary egg; such eggs are sold within 7 days. The letter “C” stands for a table egg, which is sold within 25 days.
The second sign in the marking indicates the category of the egg depending on its weight. Highest category (B) - 75 g or more. Selected egg (O) - from 65 to 74.9 g. First category (1) - from 55 to 64.9 g. Second category (2) - from 45 to 54.9 g. Third category (3) - from 35 up to 44.9 g.
Thus, the marking “C2” is indicated on table eggs of the second category, and “DV” - on dietary eggs of the highest category.
When choosing chicken eggs, you need to pay attention to the size of the egg. The smaller the egg, the healthier it is. Chickens laying eggs are kept in cages with several floors, with artificial lighting and on combined feed with various additives. They age quickly, get sick, and various medications and antibiotics are often added to their feed. The older the chicken, the more and more often it is treated, the weaker and more painful its inheritance-egg is, respectively, young chickens are healthier, they are treated less, and they produce a healthier, but smaller egg. That is, an egg from a young chicken weighs on average up to 50-55 g, and these are the third and second categories; in extreme cases, the first category can also be from young chickens.
The third category is rarely found in retail trade, since consumers, often not understanding its usefulness, do not buy such an egg. Poultry factories are forced to process eggs of the third category into melange.
And eggs from young chickens are practically not infected with salmonellosis. Eggs with a brown color have a thicker shell and, therefore, the inside of the egg is less susceptible to infection.
Useful properties of chicken eggs
Eggs can be called a miracle product, a real storehouse of amino acids, vitamins, and minerals. They are an accessible source of niacin, necessary for nourishing the brain and the formation of sex hormones, vitamin K, which ensures blood clotting, choline, which improves memory and removes poisons from the liver, and lecithin, which dissolves plaques in the walls of blood vessels. Eggs contain vitamins E, B2, B6, B12, biotin and folic acid, which prevent the development of birth defects in newborns, have high energy value and contain valuable proteins and bioregulators, a large number of minerals, including calcium and iron, as well as vitamin A and nicotinic acid.
Oddly enough, although the egg is a very nutritious product, it still does not make you fat. Moreover, eggs are included in many therapeutic diets, the goal of which is to reduce the amount of protein in the diet. For such diets, eggs with their 13% protein and only 80 kcal for the diet are simply a godsend.
But to say that eggs contain everything necessary for the body is incorrect. For example, eggs lack carbohydrates and vitamin C.
Chicken eggs and cholesterol
The statement that eating chicken eggs is unhealthy because they increase cholesterol levels in the blood is incorrect. The yolk of chicken eggs actually contains quite a lot of cholesterol. It contains up to 270 mg in a medium-sized egg, however, as numerous studies have shown, after eating eggs, the level of cholesterol in the blood almost does not increase. Egg lovers who have high cholesterol levels in the blood can be advised to eat 1 yolk with 2 or 3 whites. You can also eat scrambled eggs with herbs, but it is recommended to cook it from 1 yolk and 2 whites in a non-stick frying pan, greased with oil, or even better, an omelet with milk. Egg whites are an excellent source of proteins and are easier to digest than meat whites. It should also be noted that egg cholesterol is the least harmful, because it is balanced by lecithin contained in the yolk and plays an important role in the nutrition of nerve cells.
The American Society of Cardiology, although it does not eliminate the responsibility of cholesterol for cardiovascular disease, believes that the complete exclusion of eggs from the diet is no less dangerous. For a healthy person, 6-7 eggs per week are quite acceptable. A healthy and active person, if he does not consume other animal proteins during the day, can easily eat 1-2 eggs a day. Another thing is that it is still advisable to diversify your food and, in addition to eggs, eat other animal or plant proteins.
The opinion that chicken eggs are poorly digested is also not entirely true. Much depends on the degree of freshness of the egg and the method of its preparation. The longer an egg is cooked, the less digestible it will be. Soft-boiled eggs are completely digested after 1-2 hours, and hard-boiled or scrambled eggs after 3 hours.

Chicken eggs for hypertension
Scientists have discovered compounds in chicken eggs that have the same effect as weak doses of the antihypertensive drug captopril. So if you suffer from high blood pressure, take a dozen eggs for prevention.
A peptide found in egg whites may be effective against hypertension, according to a new study from Clemson University. And using eggs along with medications can be a double whammy for high blood pressure.
A peptide called RVPSL blocks the production of an enzyme that increases blood pressure. The researchers reported that feeding rats the RVPSL peptide found in six egg whites was as effective as low doses of the drug captopril. In addition, eating egg whites was also associated with better sugar control and lower cholesterol levels.
The researchers tested the peptide RVPSL, which was made by heating eggs to 100º C. Eggs cooked at higher temperatures may have an even more effective effect on blood pressure. Fried egg whites showed a higher hypotensive effect.
Of course, further research is needed to talk about specific results. However, you don't have to wait long to emphasize eggs in your everyday life. After all, you don’t need a recipe to eat eggs.
Chicken eggs against obesity
Obese adults can lose weight twice as fast by combining a low-calorie diet with eggs for breakfast.
Scientists tested the assumption that if you eat two eggs for breakfast instead of the usual American donuts, then for the same calorie content, such a breakfast may be more conducive to weight loss for those wishing to lose weight.
The experiment involved 152 volunteers - men and women from 25 to 60 years old with varying degrees of overweight or obesity, with a body mass index from 25 to 50 with a normal range of 18.5 to 25.
The subjects were divided into four groups. Two of them were put on a reduced-calorie diet. At the same time, one group consumed two eggs for breakfast, and the second group consumed a portion of donuts with the same energy parameters. The other two groups were left out of the diet but also ate eggs or donuts for breakfast.
After eight weeks of the experiment, the egg breakfast group lost 65% more weight than the donut diet group. However, no significant differences were found between the other two groups, whose members were not restricted in food.
“Eating eggs for breakfast promotes weight loss when combined with a low-calorie diet and does not affect body weight in the absence of a diet,” the scientists conclude.
Chicken eggs for the liver
It is quite widely believed that chicken eggs are harmful to the liver. This is not true, since in addition to vitamins, eggs contain a variety of substances, including choline and methionine - amino acids that are beneficial for the liver. In addition, the yolk has the unique property of causing contractions of the gallbladder, that is, stimulating the flow of bile into the intestines, which improves peristalsis and promotes the absorption of fats. However, it is worth mentioning that frying eggs or making eggs with mayonnaise or other similar sauce is not advisable for those with liver problems.
But for those who have gallstones, eggs are not really recommended.
This is explained by the fact that if there are stones in the gall bladder, then the process of its contraction under the influence of egg yolk, as well as many other foods, such as cream or butter, is painful and can sometimes turn into colic. Interestingly, this is the only valid reason to avoid eating eggs.

Scrambled eggs for breakfast
Scrambled eggs are the perfect breakfast dish. Regularly eating eggs for breakfast provides energy throughout the day and also helps maintain health. This conclusion was reached by American scientists who studied the nutritional properties of chicken eggs and their effects on the human body.
Scientists believe that eggs in the daily diet do not lead to the accumulation of excess weight, but they have excellent nutritional properties: they contain a large amount of vitamins and microelements that help maintain health, good physical shape and a high intellectual level. Contrary to popular belief, eating eggs daily does not raise cholesterol. Mexican scientists managed to dispel this myth of the 60s during a study.
A person who starts his working day with such a primitive dish as scrambled eggs receives a powerful biological impulse that helps him cope with work successfully. Eggs contain essential vitamins D and B12, proteins, selenium and choline, as well as a wide range of amino acids and antioxidants.
The substances contained in eggs prevent the formation of cataracts, protect the optic nerve, and neutralize the harmful effects of the environment. Eggs strengthen bones and joints, stimulate the immune system, and increase mental performance. Eggs are the only product that is absorbed by the body by 97-98%, leaving virtually no toxins in the intestines.
Chicken egg quality
The freshness of eggs largely depends on their storage conditions. If chicken eggs are not stored in the refrigerator, after a week they actually become stale. But if you immediately put them in a special refrigerator cell with the sharp end down, so that there is no pressure on the air chamber of the egg - the space between the white and the shell, then they can be stored for up to 3 weeks.
The color of the yolk of chicken eggs, from pale yellow to bright yellow and even reddish, depends on the composition of the chicken feed. The rich color of the yolk does not indicate a high carotene content, as some people think.
Duck and goose eggs
They are much more nutritious than chicken eggs. The only thing you should be wary of is harmful microorganisms, which are more abundant in the eggs of waterfowl. Experts note that they can be neutralized by boiling for 15 minutes.
Chicken eggs and salmonellosis
Eggs can cause salmonellosis. However, for this to happen several conditions must coincide. Firstly, the eggs must be infected, and statistics show that salmonella germs are present in only one out of 7 thousand fresh eggs. Secondly, they must be stored for a long time in unsuitable conditions. The coincidence of both does not happen very often, but in order to avoid troubles, it is advisable to wash the eggs well before eating. In addition, it is necessary to periodically wash the egg storage compartments in the refrigerator, since the shells are not airtight and bacteria can enter the egg.
We all know that eating raw eggs is dangerous - you can become infected with salmonellosis. However, soft-boiled eggs or poorly fried eggs are no less dangerous. Many people like delicate jelly-like protein - it is precisely this that poses the greatest risk. Therefore, it is better to either fry the eggs well or boil the eggs hard.

What to look for when buying chicken eggs? What is the difference between dietary and canteen? How long can eggs be stored and how to avoid salmonellosis? 9 answers to the most popular questions about this product.

1. How to read the stamp on an egg?

The letter “d” or “c” means, respectively, a dietary or table egg. The first sign on the stamp indicates the date - the day and month of the “birth” of the egg, the second - the category (and therefore its size).

2. What is the difference between a dietary egg and a table egg?

A diet egg (with a red stamp) differs from a table egg in its freshness. It must be implemented within 7 days from the moment of birth. Then, after a week, the egg goes into the table category. If the egg is initially doomed to a long life, long-term sales and, possibly, storage at sub-zero temperatures, a stamp is applied to it with blue ink.

3. How long can an egg be stored?

A table egg can be stored at room temperature for up to 25 days from the moment of “birth” and up to 90 days in the refrigerator.

4. Which category of eggs is better?

• Third category- the smallest eggs (35-44.9 g).
• Second category- medium (45-54.9 g).
• First category- large (55-64.9 g).
• Selected(indicated by the letter “o”) - the largest (65-74.9 g).

By the way, in culinary recipes an egg weighing 40 g is taken as one egg, that is, an egg of the third category.

5. White or dark?

Experts have no disagreement on this matter: the color of the eggs is just a tribute to the breed of the chicken. This is a purely aesthetic point that does not in any way affect the quality of the product.

6. What are “enriched eggs”?

“Smart” eggs with iodine, “fitness” eggs with selenium, and “vitamin” eggs are increasingly appearing in stores. Enrichment of eggs with various microelements occurs through the addition of appropriate preparations to the feed of laying hens. Whether such a product is useful for you or not is an individual question - if you do not know the level of iodine in your body, it is better not to experiment with eggs enriched with this element.

7. What does “organic” mean on egg packaging?

Abroad, the appearance of this word on product packaging is strictly regulated. It means that these are eggs from chickens that have the opportunity to freely range in natural fields under the sun, which are fed exclusively with natural feed, rich in chlorophyll, and in winter - seaweed. In our country, although a resolution on sanitary and hygienic requirements for organic products was adopted (in the summer of 2008), testing for compliance with the declared standards has not yet been carried out.

All that remains is to express gratitude to those manufacturers who themselves send their products for voluntary laboratory research, for example, to the Institute of Nutrition of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences. In general, read the labels on the packaging more carefully.

8. How to protect yourself from salmonellosis?

• Cracked eggs should not be eaten.
• Before use, the egg should be washed with soap or soda (dried droppings are not at all a sign of an “organic” egg, but rather a consequence of poor hygiene at the poultry farm).
• Always wash your hands with soap if you handle eggs.
• Do not eat raw eggs or add them to dishes.
• It is recommended to boil eggs for at least 10 minutes.

9. What are the storage conditions for eggs?

Eggs are stored in a cool place away from strong-smelling foods and away from raw meat. The optimal temperature is 0-5°C. To protect them from foreign odors, use an airtight tray. Experts advise storing eggs with the pointy end down - otherwise the yolk, located on the air chamber of the egg, will begin to dry out faster.

How to cook eggs in the microwave

1.

First, get a microwave-safe bowl. It should not be too big and not too small. Grease with oil.

2.

Break 1-3 eggs into it, add a pinch of salt and some of your favorite spices and beat with a fork until lightly smooth.

Eggs purchased in city stores are labeled according to the standard. Do we know how to decipher incomprehensible symbols? It turns out that everything is simple. One symbol determines the category by weight, and the second divides it into table (C) and dietary (D).

After a chicken lays an egg, for the first seven days it is considered dietary, then - table. There is a secret to find out whether you have a diet egg in your palm or not. To do this, you need to lower it into water. Dietary food should lie on the bottom, and table food should hang in the water column. It remains to be tested in practice whether this is true. The biological value of eggs directly depends on the degree of freshness. Day after day, they gradually lose value: the protein liquefies, the yolk shell becomes thinner, and the content of vitamins and enzymes decreases.

There are other ways to determine the freshness of eggs. A newly laid dietary egg is covered with a shell that gives the shell a dull appearance. Then its thin layer is erased, and the shell becomes glossy. You can try to hold the blunt end of the egg up to the light to see if there is an air chamber. In a fresh product it is small and almost invisible; in a product that has been stored for some time, a round-shaped spot of a darkish hue can be seen. Eggs can remain in the refrigerator for up to three months, but they will lose their usefulness.

Village eggs don't have a stamp, and you can't buy them in a store either. Moreover, eggs from rural farmsteads are a seasonal product. Chickens lay eggs well only in the warm season. In winter, at poultry farms they are stuffed with special fertilizers for “normal” wear, but it is unlikely that the farmer will do the same, since he not only sells his products, but also consumes them himself.

Since the chickens in the village are accompanied by a rooster, all village products are real, fertilized. When producing dietary eggs, hens are kept in cages and roosters are not allowed near them. In terms of the brightness of the yolk, the rustic variety is no different from the dietary variety. Chickens in the village lay eggs with yolks of different shades, but the agricultural industry does not stand still, and producers already know what to add to the chicken’s diet to tint the yolk.

Smell and taste are perhaps the two main differences! Homemade eggs smell rich, but store-bought eggs lack the spirit of freedom and health. The difference in taste cannot be described in words. Homemade rustic items are more expensive and cannot be bought everywhere. It’s up to you to decide what products to consume, village ones from the market or dietary ones from a nearby supermarket. But natural village ones are more tasty, nutritious and healthy.