What does it mean, anyway?
If you thought you had enough choices to make when purchasing a dozen eggs, think again.
Many of us already shop for eggs based on a number of qualities.
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What size do we need?
Should we buy eggs with brown or white shells (anddoes the shell color mean anything anyway?).
Or maybe we prefer eggs that are produced close to home.
For others, free-range and organic are important factors.
What Is Egg Grading?
Unlike high school exams,egg grading is a voluntary service.
Producers pay a fee to theUSDAto independently verify and assign grades for the quality and appearance of their eggs.
(The grade has absolutely nothing to do with the eggs' size, nutritional value or safety.)
The interior of the egg is even examined, by a method known ascandling.
The better the quality of both the exterior and interior of the egg, the higher its grade.
What Are Grade AA Eggs?
Grade AA eggs are the highest-quality eggs, in both exterior and interior appearance.
USDA guidelines stipulate that these egg whites are clear and firm.
What Are Grade A Eggs?
Grade A eggs are the next highest-quality egg.
What’s the Difference Between Grade AA and Grade A Eggs?
How do you choose between the grades when, in reality, the difference between them is so slight?
The fresher the egg, the smaller the air cell, and the higher the grade.
Grade AA has an air cell of 1/8 inch or less.
A Grade A egg air cell can range from 1/8 to 3/16 inch in depth.
The Bottom Line
So, does it really matter what grades your eggs receive?
