Duck eggs come in a variety of different colors beyond the typical white chicken egg. While white is the most common, duck eggs can also be blue, green, or even speckled and patterned. The color of the egg is determined by the breed of duck that laid it. Some breeds, like the Khaki Campbell, consistently lay white or light-colored eggs. Other breeds, like the Blue Swedish or Cayuga, lay eggs in shades of blue or green. The color does not affect the quality, taste, or nutritional value of the egg inside. It is simply an interesting genetic quirk that results in different pigments being deposited on the eggshell as it develops within the duck. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most common duck egg colors and the breeds that lay them.
White Duck Eggs
White duck eggs are the most common and resemble chicken eggs in appearance. They have a creamy white shell and look similar to large chicken eggs. The main breeds of ducks that lay white eggs include:
| Breed | Origin |
|---|---|
| Pekin | China |
| Aylesbury | England |
| Rouen | France |
| Khaki Campbell | England |
| Indian Runner | Asia |
These ducks were bred specifically for egg production and do not generally sit on nests. The most prolific layer is the Khaki Campbell, which can produce over 300 eggs per year. White duck eggs are a good choice for those looking for an alternative to chicken eggs but who still want traditional white shells. They have a richer, creamier flavor while still being versatile for baking and cooking.
Blue Duck Eggs
Blue duck eggs have a striking bluish-green tint to the shell. The inside of the egg appears white like a normal egg, but the outer shell has a unique cool tone. Some of the duck breeds that lay blue eggs include:
| Breed | Origin |
|---|---|
| Swedish | Sweden |
| Orpington | England |
| Cayuga | America |
| Saxony | Germany |
The color comes from a genetic mutation that causes the oviduct to deposit a pigment called biliverdin onto the eggshell as the egg forms. This is the same pigment that causes bruising in humans. Some breeds, like the Blue Swedish, lay eggs that are a very deep cobalt blue. Others, like the Saxony, produce lighter sky-blue eggs. The shell strength and nutritional content is the same as white duck eggs. The blue color is purely cosmetic.
Green Duck Eggs
Green is one of the less common duck egg colors but can occur in certain breeds. The green color is caused by a combination of the blue biliverdin pigment mixing with a yellow/brown pigment called protoporphyrin. When combined, these pigments produce an olive green or sage color. Breeds that can lay green duck eggs include:
| Breed | Origin |
|---|---|
| Welsh Harlequin | Wales |
| Appleyard | England |
The shade can vary from a muted olive green to a brighter forest green. As with blue eggs, the color is purely decorative and does not affect the egg quality. Some individual ducks may lay eggs that are more blue or more green from one day to the next. The color results from pigment concentrations that can vary each time an egg is formed.
Speckled and Patterned Duck Eggs
Some rare duck breeds have been bred to lay eggs with speckled or patterned shells. These include the following:
| Breed | Egg Appearance |
|---|---|
| Magpie | White with random black speckles |
| Runner | Creamy white with dark freckles |
| Crested | Pearly white with dense black speckling |
| Blue Faced Ancona | Sky blue with sporadic dark speckles |
The spotted and speckled patterns are the result of pigment deposits on the shell. The irregular patterns are a consequence of the pigment not being distributed uniformly as the shell forms. These unique eggs are especially prized by collectors and can fetch high prices due to their rarity. However, they are equally nutritious and tasty as other colored duck eggs when used in cooking.
Why Do Duck Eggs Come in Different Colors?
The different egg colors are produced by pigments added to the eggshell as it passes through the duck’s oviduct. All eggs start out with white shells. As the nearly-formed egg moves through the oviduct, pigments produced in the duck’s body are added.
The main pigments that color duck eggs are:
– Biliverdin – A blue/green pigment that also causes bruising.
– Protoporphyrin – A brown/red pigment found in blood.
– Biliverdin combined with protoporphyrin produces green eggs.
– Calcium carbonate – The main component of the eggshell itself which looks white.
Some breeds have been selectively bred over generations to produce more of the color pigments. For example, Khaki Campbell ducks were bred specifically to lay white eggs consistently. In contrast, Blue Swedish ducks were bred to maximize biliverdin production and lay deep blue eggs. The pigment production is genetic within each breed.
Do Different Colored Eggs Taste Different?
There is no difference in taste, quality, or nutrition between white, blue, green, or other color duck eggs. The only thing that varies is the outer shell pigmentation. The contents of the eggs, including the yolk, white, and nutritional value are the same across colors.
Some people claim differences in taste or quality based on egg color, but scientifically this has been proven false. In blind taste tests, there is no notable difference between the flavors of different colored duck eggs. The variation people taste likely comes more from differences between individual ducks’ diets rather than anything to do with shell color.
Nutritional Value
Duck eggs as a whole are more nutritious than chicken eggs. But within duck eggs, there are no nutritional differences between white, blue, green or speckled eggs. Tests of protein content, fat content, vitamins, and minerals show no significant variation based on shell color.
Here is a nutritional comparison of a typical duck egg vs a typical chicken egg:
| Nutrient | Duck Egg | Chicken Egg |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 185 | 143 |
| Protein (g) | 13 | 12 |
| Fat (g) | 14 | 9 |
| Iron (%) | 13 | 10 |
| Calcium (%) | 4 | 3 |
As you can see, duck eggs contain more calories, protein, fat, iron, and calcium compared to chicken eggs. But within duck eggs, the nutritional content remains constant regardless of shell color or breed.
Cooking with Colored Duck Eggs
Colored duck eggs can be substituted in place of chicken eggs in any recipe. They have the same binding and emulsification properties. The only difference is the appearance of the raw egg and cooked egg.
Blue or green duck eggs will retain some of their color even after cooking. This can produce some fun color variations in baked goods, custards, omelets and other dishes. For example, blue duck eggs will tint cakes, cookies or breads a subtle greenish hue.
The more vivid the shell color, the more color you’ll see in the finished dish. Strong blue duck eggs will be more noticeable than a lightly tinted green egg after cooking. This can add some interesting visual flair to dishes.
Aside from the look, colored duck eggs will behave the same as white duck or chicken eggs during cooking. So you can use them in everything from scrambled eggs to custard pie without altering technique.
Incubating and Hatching Colored Eggs
Duck eggs with non-white shells can be incubated and hatched just like normal eggs. The color of the egg will not affect the chick inside or hatch rates. However, there are a few things to keep in mind:
– Blue and green duck eggs are slightly harder to candle. The pigment obscures the view inside the egg compared to white shells.
– The embryo visibly developing inside the egg may look slightly different through colored shells.
– The hatching duckling may have some temporary egg shell staining on their down. This is perfectly normal and washes off after a day or two.
As long as the egg is fertilized and incubated properly, the outer shell color should not impact the hatchling inside. The baby duck will be the same species as the parents, regardless of blue, white or speckled shells.
Storing Colored Duck Eggs
Colored duck eggs have the same storage requirements as chicken eggs. To maximize freshness:
– Store eggs pointy side down in the carton at all times. The round end contains the air cell.
– Refrigerate eggs quickly after laying. Do not let them sit warm for more than 2 hours before cooling.
– Maintain fridge temperature between 35-40°F. Avoid temperature fluctuations.
– Use eggs within 5 weeks for peak quality, though they remain safe for months.
The pigments in blue, green or speckled shells do not affect spoilage rates or internal quality decline. What matters most is keeping eggs chilled from the time they are laid. Follow the same handling methods for colorful duck eggs as you would for standard white chicken eggs.
Pricing of Colored Duck Eggs
Due to their novelty and scarcity, colored duck eggs can sell for a premium over standard white duck or chicken eggs:
– White duck eggs sell for about $3-5 per dozen retail.
– Colored duck eggs range from $5-8 per dozen retail.
– Specialty speckled or patterned eggs can fetch up to $3-4 per single egg.
– Hatching eggs from rare breeds with colored shells often sell for 2-3x more than white duck eggs.
The price premium comes from the limited availability, smaller breed population sizes, and demand from collectors. However, from a practical nutrition and cooking standpoint, a blue duck egg offers no real benefit over a white duck egg. The color is simply for visual appeal.
Conclusion
When it comes to nutrition, taste, cooking performance, and incubation viability, there is no difference between white, blue, green or speckled duck eggs. The color variation is purely cosmetic and comes from pigments deposited on the shell during formation. While colorful duck eggs demand a higher price, they offer no additional benefits besides their unique appearance. Still, the diversity of duck egg colors and patterns is an interesting natural phenomenon. Whether you want standard white eggs or enjoy the novelty of colored shells, duck eggs provide great nutrition and culinary potential.
