Brown or White? What Really Makes a Great Egg (and Why Free-Run Matters)

Stand in front of an egg display and the choices add up fast: brown or white, large or jumbo, free-run or organic. So what actually matters? At Le Capitaine, we sell eggs in every size and shade. Here's how to choose the right one.

Brown vs. white: does the colour change anything?

Not really. Shell colour is decided by the breed of hen, not by nutrition, freshness or flavour. White-feathered hens tend to lay white eggs; reddish-brown hens lay brown ones. A well-raised hen on a good diet produces a great egg either way. Choose the colour you like; the quality comes from how the hen is raised.

What free-run really means

Free-run hens are not kept in cages. They roam freely throughout the barn floor, where they can walk, stretch, perch and behave more naturally. It's a meaningful step up in animal welfare, and many people feel it shows in the richness of the yolk. Our free-run large brown eggs come from exactly these flocks.

Organic: one more step

Our certified organic large brown eggs come from hens raised on a certified-organic diet, a responsible choice if you want to know exactly what your hens are fed.

What about egg size?

Size comes down to the hen's age and breed, and it changes how a recipe behaves. Large and extra-large eggs are the everyday standard for baking. Jumbo eggs, and our rare double-yolk ones, add extra richness to breakfasts and desserts.

The one thing that matters most: freshness

However you like your eggs, freshness beats everything. Our eggs are dated by the day they were laid, so you always know exactly what you're getting. Find them at Montreal's Marche Jean-Talon or order online for delivery across Canada, with an immediate replacement if a box ever arrives damaged.