Health & Nutrition
Brown vs. White Eggs: What’s the Real Difference?
By Shin • July 14, 2025
The Real Reason for Different Shell Colours
The colour of an eggshell is a matter of genetics, determined by the breed of the hen that lays it. It’s a simple and fun fact of nature:
- White Eggs are typically laid by hens with white feathers and white earlobes. The most common breed for this is the White Leghorn. These hens don’t deposit any pigment on the shell.
- Brown Eggs are laid by hens with brown or reddish feathers and red earlobes, like the Rhode Island Red. These hens add a final layer of a natural brown pigment called protoporphyrin IX just before the egg is laid.
Think of it this way: all eggs start white, but some get a final “coat of paint” before they’re ready. The colour on the outside has no effect on the goodness inside.
The Hens Behind Your Eggs in Malaysia
In Malaysia, the types of hens used are chosen for how well they thrive in our tropical climate.
- Brown Eggs (The Standard)
Most eggs you see are brown. They come from super-efficient hybrid breeds like the Hisex Brown, ISA Brown, and Lohmann Brown. These hens are fantastic layers and are perfectly suited for large-scale farming in our region. - White Eggs (The Niche Choice)
White eggs are less common. They come from breeds like the White Leghorn. Because fewer farms raise them, they are considered more of a specialty item here.
The Malaysian Price Puzzle: Why Are White Eggs Often More Expensive Here?
You might have heard that brown eggs are more expensive in the US or Europe., but in Malaysia, it’s often the other way around. Here’s why:
- Market Standard: Brown Eggs are Mass-Produced. Since most Malaysian farms raise brown-egg hens, there’s a huge supply. This high volume and efficiency make them very affordable.
- Supply and Demand: White eggs are less common. They are often produced by fewer farms for a niche market. With a lower supply, the price naturally becomes higher.
So, the price difference in Malaysia isn’t about quality—it’s simply about the local farming economy and which type of hen is more common.
What Really Matters When Choosing Your Eggs?
Instead of focusing on shell colour, here’s what truly affects the quality of the egg you eat:
- Freshness
This is the most important factor for taste and how well an egg performs in cooking. A fresher egg will have a firmer yolk and a thicker white. - The Hen’s Diet
What a hen eats directly impacts the egg’s nutritional profile.
Conclusion
When it comes to choosing between brown and white eggs, the verdict is in: the colour doesn’t matter. A high-quality egg is a high-quality egg, regardless of its shell. The real signs of a superior egg are its freshness and the quality of the hen’s diet
About The Author
I’m Shin, the co-founder of egghey. I started this brand to share the incredible taste of truly fresh eggs from my family’s farm in Perak. I hope you enjoy them as much as we do!
