Peter Cottontail is getting ready to make his
annual trip down the bunny trail because hippity hoppity Easter's on its way!
And, of course, another name for Easter is national celebrate the egg day. So
let's take a moment to do exactly that and check in with our friend the egg.
Nutritional Facts
Eggs and eaters seem to have a love/hate
relationship. One day they're they great "incredible, edible egg" the
next day they're cholesterol bombs that we must avoid at all costs. Where do we
stand today? Well, America's Egg Farmers touts a large egg as being about 70
calories. One egg will provide 12.6% of the Daily Reference Value for protein. The
U.S. Dietary Guidelines names eggs as one of the most nutritious foods. But
what about the dreaded cholesterol factor? Things are getting better. In 2010 a
sample of eggs was taken from across the country. After testing those samples
researchers found that compared to eggs tested in 2002 cholesterol levels had
decreased 14%. According to the Mayo Clinic, one large egg contains about 213
mg of cholesterol, which all concentrated in the yolk. The American Heart
Association gives a nod to the egg, saying that it is a-ok to eat as long as it
is part of a diet that includes a moderate cholesterol intake. Of course, that
doesn't apply to egg whites, which are cholesterol-free.
More from Delish: Perfect Hard-Boiled Eggs
Cracking Some Numbers
According to America's Egg Farmers, more than 164
million eggs were bought for Easter celebrations in the U.S. last year. The
record amount of omelets made in 30 minutes is 427. The fastest single omelet
took 42 seconds to go from egg to complete omelet. A laying chicken will
produce as many as 250 to 300 eggs a year, most of which are laid between 7am
and 11am. There are nearly 200 breeds of chickens worldwide but most
egg-producing hens in the U.S. are Single-Comb White Leghorns.
More from Delish: Adorable Ways Easter Eggs
The Underappreciated Eggs and Egg Uses
Chickens don't produce the only eggs worth eating.
Although our egg industry is ruled by fowl of the clucking persuasion, quail,
duck, goose and even ostrich eggs are worth cracking into. In England and some
Scandinavian countries, gull eggs are considered to be a delicacy costing
around $10 a pop. If you're ever wondering when the vernal equinox is and only
have an egg to go by, it is said that an egg will stand on its end during that
time when day and night are of equal length. The egg's use doesn't begin and
end with edible exploits. Because egg white has drying properties, it can be
used in a facial. Egg yolks are some times used in shampoos and conditioners
due to the protein-rich properties.
What will you be doing with our buddy the egg this coming weekend?
