One of the most interesting aspects of life in Brazil is our different approach to food. We’re connected to local farms owned by friends and family, who spoil us with organic produce. As for chicken eggs, the sizes and shell colors can vary, but if they come from the family farm, the yolks will almost always be darker and thicker than those from factory-farmed eggs.Dairy & Eggs
In the United States, all the eggs sold are yellow. Whether they’re organic or inexpensive, they’re all yellow, and the internal texture isn’t as thick. What’s the reason? Is it because all these eggs come from poor-quality hens? Have you ever even seen an orange egg? It took me 30 years to see an egg from a healthy hen.
Last year, I was able to compare my chicken farm to other factory farms. The difference was clearly visible: our egg yolks weren’t just dark orange, but also fuller and thicker. Even the shells were stronger and harder to crack. But what’s the secret to orange egg yolks? Besides being a highly desirable color, orange egg yolks are the product of a well-balanced and very nutritious diet. A few things are involved in producing this product: xanthophylls, omega-3 fatty acids, and meat. Xanthophylls are a type of carotenoid. Carotenoids are natural plant pigments found in many fruits and vegetables. Beta-carotene, one of the best-known carotenoids, is generally considered to be responsible for the orange color that people typically associate with carrots. But in reality, beta-carotene is what gives egg yolks their nutritional value, rather than their color. The carotenoids that cause egg yolks to darker are xanthophylls, which are more easily absorbed by the yolks. (Lutein is one of these xanthophylls, and the more there is, the more orange the yolk will be.) Xanthophylls are found in dark green vegetables like spinach, kale, and cabbage, as well as zucchini, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts. Omega-3 fatty acids are highly concentrated in flaxseed and kelp, which are two important ingredients in my chickens’ diet. And did you know that chickens aren’t meant to be vegetarians, no matter what it says on your premium carton of organic, factory-farmed eggs? Chickens are omnivores by nature, and their healthy diets include meats, as well as mealworms, beetles, grasshoppers, worms, and any other critters they can find in the ground. I’ve even heard of chickens hunting small rodents and snakes!Health
For complete cooking times, go to the next page or click the Open button (>), and don't forget to SHARE with your Facebook friends.
