Proof Of The Egg Is Not In The Size: Thai Study

[webfact]

Proof of the egg is not in the size

By MAYUREE SUKYINGCHAROENWONG

WANNAPA KHAOPA

THE NATION

Do you prefer to buy large eggs and wonder if buying mixed-size eggs by the kilogram will work for you?

Small eggs are more nutritious than large ones as they have a higher ratio of yolk to white, says Assoc Prof Dr Chaiyapoom Bunchasak, head of the Department of Animal Sciences at Kasetsart University.

Chaiyapoom said studies showed one kilogram of small eggs had more essential fatty acids, vitamins and minerals than a kilogram of large eggs.

"Moreover, they have longer shelf lives because they have higher Haugh unit scores, which indicates that they stay fresh longer than large eggs," he said. "And they have stronger shells, so it's more difficult to break them."

Chaiyapoom said some of his experiments had found small eggs had a higher proportion of protein and a lower proportion of fat, though other experiments had shown the reverse.

"I choose to eat small eggs," he said. "I want to tell consumers that small eggs do not have less nutrition. They are no different to large eggs in terms of quality. So there's nothing wrong with buying mixed-size eggs."

"Indeed, the US has conducted research on how to reduce egg sizes to improve their quality," he added.

The Commerce Ministry approved the sale of eggs by the kilo earlier this month with Bangkok as a pilot area. The measure will take effect next month.

Chaiyapoom released his findings to the media in response to concerns that consumers would try to select large eggs over small ones when buying by the kilogram.

Three or four years ago, Chaiyapoom's research team carried out a survey that found that prices and sizes of eggs were the main factors that influenced consumers' decisionmaking.

Most of the 300 respondents said they knew little about the relative quality of eggs of different sizes.

The survey inspired the team to research the nutritional value of different sizes of egg to help educate the public.

"Thai people eat far fewer eggs than people in many foreign countries like Malaysia, the US and Japan. For example, a Thai eats only around 100 eggs per year on average, while a Japanese eats around 300," he said.

A package of 10 of the largest eggs (size "00") at a supermarket costs Bt69.

The faculty will give a lecture on comparing the nutritional value of large and small eggs and how to choose fresh eggs at "Kaset Fair 2011", which takes place at the university from January 28 to February 5.

Those wishing to attend the free lecture, which will take place on February 2 and February 4 from 1pm to 2pm, can register on the day at the fair.

-- The Nation 2011-01-28

[Sydebolle]

Why do we not buy salads or carrots by the litre? The electricity is charged by length and water comes in bushels....

[khaowong1]

Boy, looks like somone is really trying to push small eggs. Maybe his family owns a chicken ranch where the chickens only lay small eggs. hmmm.. I'm going to have to go on google and check this out. Nah... I really don't care.

[londonthai]

the move is because shoppers were giving smaller or mixed eggs.

with the food price rising the govt is trying to protect customers rights, especially those on a low income, which spend large proportion of their wages on foods

[Thai at Heart]

Was mentioned elsewhere, that the middlemen buy in kilos, but sell on by the piece.

Simple, make it illegal for the middle men to buy by the kilo. At least the farmers might get another 0.1 baht per piece.

[Nuff Said]

Its a pity that universities have nothing better to do with their funds.

And a free lecture on the subject? Can't wait! Count me in!

Edited January 28, 2011 by Nuff Said

[anon467367354]

I almost find it hard to believe that the Thai eat considerably less eggs than most countries. Personally I have never seen so many eggs eaten anywhere. A very common 10 baht meal is rice and a fried egg, they seem to put them in everything or add them on top. I wonder where these facts are coming from. I don't have a problem with nutritional studies considering all the stupid stuff the west puts money into. If smaller eggs are more nutritious, I'll certainly point that out to my friends that do eat them.

[jayjay0]

I almost find it hard to believe that the Thai eat considerably less eggs than most countries. Personally I have never seen so many eggs eaten anywhere. A very common 10 baht meal is rice and a fried egg, they seem to put them in everything or add them on top. I wonder where these facts are coming from. I don't have a problem with nutritional studies considering all the stupid stuff the west puts money into. If smaller eggs are more nutritious, I'll certainly point that out to my friends that do eat them.

Your making it up aren't you

" A very common 10 baht meal is rice and a fried egg,"

If it is so common how come I have never in five years seen it.

[Darkman]

Whatever happened to the old saying "Sure as eggs is eggs". Clearly not in Thailand.

[tigermonkey]

I almost find it hard to believe that the Thai eat considerably less eggs than most countries. Personally I have never seen so many eggs eaten anywhere. A very common 10 baht meal is rice and a fried egg, they seem to put them in everything or add them on top. I wonder where these facts are coming from. I don't have a problem with nutritional studies considering all the stupid stuff the west puts money into. If smaller eggs are more nutritious, I'll certainly point that out to my friends that do eat them.

Your making it up aren't you

" A very common 10 baht meal is rice and a fried egg,"

If it is so common how come I have never in five years seen it.

You live in Bangkok ?

[bkkjames]

I almost find it hard to believe that the Thai eat considerably less eggs than most countries. Personally I have never seen so many eggs eaten anywhere. A very common 10 baht meal is rice and a fried egg, they seem to put them in everything or add them on top. I wonder where these facts are coming from. I don't have a problem with nutritional studies considering all the stupid stuff the west puts money into. If smaller eggs are more nutritious, I'll certainly point that out to my friends that do eat them.

Your making it up aren't you

" A very common 10 baht meal is rice and a fried egg,"

If it is so common how come I have never in five years seen it.

You live in Bangkok ?

maybe he is referring to kaijao (excuse my piss poor spelling) thai omelette thingy - quite good , could go for one now actually, a bit peckish, anybody know where I can get one at this hour, perhaps with a side of heineken.............

[retell]

for me is a simple thing

i like lagrge egs because there is more white in there and less yoke

somehow got the feelin chorestorol is mainly in the yoke?

[londonthai]

for me is a simple thing

i like lagrge egs because there is more white in there and less yoke

somehow got the feelin chorestorol is mainly in the yoke?

most of the essential nutrients for the developing chick are in the yoke. White is just proteins, which we can get cheaper and better (for example soya) than from the eggs.

because of the high cholesterol contemporary dieticians advice 2 eggs per week (so around 100 per year).

the other problems with eggs (as well as all poultry meat) is high content of the growth hormon, antibiotics and other medicines given to animals at the farms, to make many big eggs and to grow fast

[powderpuff]

White rice & a fried egg 10 baht? Maybe - I've never seen anyone order that. But a fried egg on top of Paad Krapow? - yes but it's a dam_n site more than 10 baht. More like 35.

[powderpuff]

I don't care how they price eggs in Bangkok - as long as they size them as they always have. I buy the size Zero - the largest & most expensive.

Sounds like down the market they will just put a jumble in a bag - weight it & sell it.

Goobledegook. More socialist tweaking.

Edited January 28, 2011 by powderpuff

[londonthai]

More socialist tweaking.

what selling eggs by weight has to do with socialism is beyond me. You wouldn't suspect any government (and evem more the thai one) to have any socialist ideas?

but it has very much to do with the sellers, who try to do a big buck by buying from the farmers by weight and selling by piece and in the process mixing larger sizes with smaller ones

[loser1]

White rice & a fried egg 10 baht? Maybe - I've never seen anyone order that. But a fried egg on top of Paad Krapow? - yes but it's a dam_n site more than 10 baht. More like 35.

Usually pronunced ' Pad ka-pow moo kai dow , kao soo-ay' is ground pork mince fried in basil n chilli with fried egg on top with steam rice. My favourite. I don't think i've seen the fried egg with a chicken pad ka pow though? In fact i personally have never had an egg on the same plate as chicken.....which is strange.

[tartempion]

I almost find it hard to believe that the Thai eat considerably less eggs than most countries. Personally I have never seen so many eggs eaten anywhere. A very common 10 baht meal is rice and a fried egg, they seem to put them in everything or add them on top. I wonder where these facts are coming from. I don't have a problem with nutritional studies considering all the stupid stuff the west puts money into. If smaller eggs are more nutritious, I'll certainly point that out to my friends that do eat them.

Your making it up aren't you

" A very common 10 baht meal is rice and a fried egg,"

If it is so common how come I have never in five years seen it.

I eat at the local village "restaurant" several times a week and do go out eating in town or at the nearby amphur and each and every time I see people eating "egg over rice" or "Khai thiauw moo sap" (scrambled eggs with chopped porc), every kao pad (fried rice) also contains an egg

[diehard60]

the move is because shoppers were giving smaller or mixed eggs.

with the food price rising the govt is trying to protect customers rights, especially those on a low income, which spend large proportion of their wages on foods

What you are saying does not make sense at all. I do not understand what you are trying to say. Please elaberate.

[diehard60]

I almost find it hard to believe that the Thai eat considerably less eggs than most countries. Personally I have never seen so many eggs eaten anywhere. A very common 10 baht meal is rice and a fried egg, they seem to put them in everything or add them on top. I wonder where these facts are coming from. I don't have a problem with nutritional studies considering all the stupid stuff the west puts money into. If smaller eggs are more nutritious, I'll certainly point that out to my friends that do eat them.

Your making it up aren't you

" A very common 10 baht meal is rice and a fried egg,"

If it is so common how come I have never in five years seen it.

You live in Bangkok ?

Where do you live? In a shell. It is everywhere. I think you need to get out and open your eyes a little more.

[Scott]

The size of the egg is related to the age of the chicken. Young hens, when they first start laying eggs, lay smaller eggs. Chickens molt their feathers once a year, then they start laying again. The 2nd year, the eggs are bigger and the nice large eggs come from 3 year old hens. As the hen gets older, she lays fewer eggs, so the large eggs are often disproportionately more expensive than the smaller eggs.

After the second year, most hens are sent to the slaughter house. Economically, as the chicken gets older, it cost more in feed to get fewer eggs.

The nutrition thing is probably rather minor. It's hard to change people's thinking on these things. I like the eggs in the carton. I like to buy a dozen--not those 10 in carton and I like to buy the large eggs.

If I buy a dish in a restaurant, I have no idea if it's a small, medium or large egg, however.

[morpheusatloppers]

I find DOUBLE-YOLK eggs taste best! And they're COMMON over here. Check out this piece I did a while back... http://www.metacafe.com/watch/5491056/man_cracks_two_double_yolk_eggs_in_succession/

[morpheusatloppers]

Oh - you might want to check out the "eggsplanation" - THAT one's on - http://www.metacafe.com/watch/5491177/the_eggsplanation/

[bangon04]

"Chaiyapoom said some of his experiments had found small eggs had a higher proportion of protein and a lower proportion of fat, though other experiments had shown the reverse."

Well that's a really inspiring reason to take him seriously.....academic rigour at its finest.