The world can be divided into two parts the first ones are those who consume and appreciate the consumption of egg and the others are those who do not consume eggs. Eggs are oval-shaped edible objects usually laid by the females of many species.
Types of Eggs
While we visit the supermarket, we do see a whole bunch of eggs with a different price quoted on each, well we might perceive all of them to be the same, but, eggs come in various types.
The list of egg varieties is huge. Thus, there are the different basis to classify eggs, and these are as follows:
Breeding Of Hens
• Standard White Eggs
White hens which are bred in conventional housing systems lay white eggs, and these are often called Standard White Eggs.
• Standard Brown Eggs
When Brown hens lay eggs in a conventional housing system, they are usually Brown. These eggs are costlier than white eggs and are often laid by bigger birds who need more feed than a standard white hen.
• Free Run Eggs
The eggs laid in enclosed barns where hens are free to run and play are termed as the free run eggs.
• Vegetarian Eggs
Don’t worry these eggs just like all others are laid by Hens and are as much non-vegetarian as the other types the only difference being that these hens are provided a purely vegetarian diet.
• Enriched or Nest Laid Eggs
When hens lay eggs in the furnished housing system, where hens get more space for movement and are given more variety of enrichments leading to a natural behavior of hens. These eggs are called nest laid eggs.
• Omega-3 Eggs
The flax which is fed to hens usually has Omega 3. These eggs are the type laid by those hens who have been fed extra flax as compared to others resulting in higher Omega 3 content in their eggs.
• Processed Eggs
The various edible products made by processing the cracked or other broken eggs which are formed by first breaking these eggs, then pasteurizing them and finally other ingredients are added to them.
• Free Range Eggs
Just on the lines of the free run eggs, these hens are let out in the open as well and not just in the enclosed barn.
• Organic Eggs
The eggs laid by hens who are fed a purely organic diet, i.e., a diet without commercial fertilizers or even pesticides.
• Vitamin Enhanced Eggs
The hens are first fed a diet rich in a particular Vitamin or maybe more, and so the eggs laid by these hens have a higher Vitamin content.
Egg Laid By Various Animals
• Chicken Eggs
These mild-tasting eggs are the most commonly available eggs. The eggs we buy over the counter are chicken eggs.
• Caviar
These unique and high-value eggs are those of a fish. They are enjoyed all around the globe for their high anti-oxidant and sea mineral content.
• Quail Eggs
With slight brown marks, these eggs are similar in look and nutrient content to the eggs laid by hens. They are slightly richer in Vitamin D and also Vitamin B12.
• Bantam Eggs
Bantam’s are smaller types of hens. Their eggs have similar nutritional value like other chicken eggs except for much higher iron content.
• Duck Eggs
The good part about these eggs is that due to their thick shell they remain fresh for longer periods of time. Their yolk is usually slightly larger than the chicken eggs. Thus, it has more fat and protein content.
• EMU Eggs
These huge eggs can weigh almost 1 kilogram and have a distinctively hard and dark green shell. These eggs are described as rich and decadent in taste.
• Hilsa Eggs
Hilsa is a common fish variety found in Bangladesh. The Hilsa eggs are rich in nutrients and omega-3 fatty acids.
• Goose Eggs
These eggs are not easily available as a goose doesn’t lay more than 40 eggs every year. These eggs are big and have almost thrice as much protein as the chicken eggs.
• Turkey Eggs
These creamy tasting eggs are similar to duck eggs. But, just a little creamier due to a thicker yolk. Though, most of these eggs are used by turkey farmers to grow more turkeys.
• Ostrich Eggs
The biggest egg you can think of is laid by an ostrich. Its shell is hard to crack. The taste and nutritional value of these eggs are similar to a chicken egg.
• Pheasant Eggs
These eggs look similar to duck eggs but have a light taste which is similar to quail eggs.
Yolk Distribution in The Cytoplasm
• Meiolecithal Eggs
The yolk is so large that the albumen forms an outer ring just like cytoplasm around the nucleus.
• Homolecithal Eggs
There is a uniform distribution of the yolk and albumen.
• Centrolecithal Eggs
In these eggs, the yolk is in the exact center of the egg.
• Telolecithal Eggs
The yolk of these eggs is found in the vegetal half of the egg.
Quantity of Yolk
• Microlecithal Eggs
These eggs usually have a much smaller yolk than other eggs. Such eggs are generally laid by Sea Urchins and Herdmania.
• Mesolecithal Eggs
The egg has neither small nor a large yolk, i.e., it has a medium yolk. The eggs of Frogs and toads are usually the Mesolecithal issue.
• Macrolecithal Eggs
The eggs under Macrolecithal category have a large yolk and are laid by sharks, insects, bony fishes, and reptiles.
Health Benefits
These are the broadly known types of eggs. Eggs though are not consumed by vegetarians but are healthy for your body. They have many beneficial effects to offer for your overall health. Some of them have been listed below:
• Eggs offer choline, which is essential for brain development.
• They are the best protein source available to us.
• The vitamins present in egg keep our immune system healthy.
• Eggs promote good skin health.
• The anti-oxidants present in eggs are specifically beneficial for our eyes.
• As eggs are highly filling, they help in reducing weight.
Conclusion
John Mackey once said “A healthy diet is a solution to many of our health-care problems. It’s the most important solution.” What is healthier than an egg to add to our diet and get rid of all healthcare problems. Eggs provide us in small amounts all essential nutrients needed by our body. Eggs are a benefit for our internal as well as external beauty.