I came across a series of videos today by Tia Pinney (a Teacher Naturalist and Adult Program Coordinator at Mass Audubon’s Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary in Lincoln, Mass.) on eHow.com, and the one below really caught my attention so I'm sharing it with you. I learned something new about the eggs I buy, and maybe you will too...
How to Read Chicken Egg Carton Labels -- powered by eHow.com
These are my eggs from Costco, purchased on 2/8/10. They were packed on 1/28/10, so as long as they were packed the same day they were layed they're pretty fresh...
I went to the USDA site, and after ten minutes of searching, I was unable to find a page on where I can find out where my eggs come from. Fortunately, mine don't travel far since I usually by
Cal Eggs located near LA.
Now I need to memorize the number of each day of the year for purchasing the freshest eggs. HA!
Interesting video. Just reaffirms why we grow our own! The first thing we noticed with our own farm-fresh eggs is that a truly fresh egg is more difficult to crack! Not only that but whisking very fresh eggs is more difficult too! The egg whites are more firm, and it takes a little more elbow grease to get them blended with the yolk. I hate buying eggs now, which on rare occasion during molt I've had to, but there's nothing like growing your own, knowing they came from happy hens on a great and varied diet. It's worth growing your own just for the difference in flavor, not to mention that keeping chickens is fun!
ReplyDeleteOh I was afraid to view the video, but I did watch it anyway. I purchase our eggs from the supermarket and try not to think about where they come from. I was so surprised at how long it takes for eggs to reach their expiration date. WOW!!
ReplyDeleteLuckily, our local grocery stores carry eggs from local farmers. Now that I am more informed, I will be more careful about which I choose.
This link may help:
ReplyDeletehttp://apps.ams.usda.gov/plantbook/Query_Pages/plantbook_query.asp
My eggs purchased in the grocery store are NOT fresh. They have a package date of 360, but have an Best By February 23 date. Wow! this is an eye opener for me.
Thanks for the link, Rachel. That's what I was hoping to find...
ReplyDeleteBefore moving to CA, I used to always stock up on eggs when they'd be on sale at the store (we go thru 24/week)... I can only imagine how old some of the eggs I would buy were! yuck!
Here's another useful chunk of info on egg freshness. Check out the 3rd bullet!
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_long_will_fresh_chicken_eggs_keep_in_the_refrigerator
Thanks for the video...now I have some great information to get my family on board with buying chickens this year....
ReplyDeleteWith this new egg education (eggucation?), I am finished with purchasing eggs in the grocery store.
ReplyDeleteFound out a neighbor who keeps chickens has more eggs than her family can use. So hopefully I will be purchasing or bartering from her. If that doesn't work out, I also have a farm down the road that sells fresh eggs.
I'd like to have chickens of my own, but my significant other isn't on board with that....yet :)
Sunny~My pleasure! It's little facts like this that are pushing me toward more organic & natural food habits...
ReplyDeleteRachel~That's awesome that you've been able to find someone close by who can offer you eggs! I can't wait to taste a really fresh one...
Yeah, I'm still in shock that DH is on board with my crazy chicken fascination! I was feeling blue earlier this week about the possibility of it not happening, and he reassured me that he's on board, and will help make it happen. YAY!
The date that the eggs are boxed is what is call a Julian Date. Here is a site that has a converter http://www-air.larc.nasa.gov/tools/jday.htm
ReplyDeletePhew! Thank goodness, DaBeardedOne! Until I have my own fresh eggs, I've saved the link you've provided on my phone for my trips to the store.
ReplyDelete