Tuesday, April 10, 2007

Eggs


Eggs are a nutrient-rich, affordable contributor to a healthy diet. Not only do eggs contain the highest quality source of protein available but they also contain a large percentage of the vitamins and minerals required by humans (vitamin C being the most notable exception).

Egg protein is of such high quality that it is used as the standard by which other proteins are compared. Eggs have a biological value of 93.7%. Milk = 84.5%, Fish = 76%, Beef = 74.3%.

White shelled eggs are produced by hens with white feathers and ear lobes. Brown shelled eggs are produced by hens with red feathers and red ear lobes. There is no difference in taste or nutrition between white and brown eggs.

The stringy piece of material in the egg is not an embryo but a protein called chalazae which acts as a shock absorber for the yolk, helping to prevent it bursting.

Eggs are placed in their cartons large end up to keep the air cell in place and the yolk centered.

Eggs age more in one day at room temperature than in one week in the refrigerator.

If refrigerated, eggs can be safely stored for 4-5 weeks beyond the sell-by date.
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6 comments:

Major Look said...

"Eggs can be kept refrigerated in their carton for at least 4 to 5 weeks beyond the pack date."

In fact they can be kept for much longer than that - they just become bad for you!

Brett Jordan said...

:-)

blog duly edited Mr Look

Anonymous said...

Never has a blog title been more honest - biased and flawed indeed. Try the following link to find out obout the true price of these "contributors" - www.vegansociety.com/html/animals/exploitation/hens.php

Big Bad Pete

Major Look said...

Hey Big Bad Pete - I looked at the site and I can't see what you are on about?

My mum and dad have free range chickens that lay the tastiest eggs going. If no one collects and eats them, then the eggs go to waste. So their "contributions" are very much appreciated.

The hens are very happy scratching around in the dirt and live out their days like this until eventually they wake up in the big chicken coup in the sky.

Brett Jordan said...

thanks for the link bbp

read the article... was good to see it from a vegan's 'biased and flawed' perspective...

can't wait for your comments when i get on to the benefits of sirloin steak :-)

Anonymous said...

There are none so blind as those who will not see. I suppose I was being a tad optimistic in trying to convert the unconvertable