nurtured

What a difference a little TLC makes!

No, not this (methinks Jon and Kate would have an adverse effect) or that (probably not conducive to good egg-laying, but ya never know...) or this (yay science!). This is what I'm talkin' 'bout.

Fact: I don't want to start (or participate in) any heated discussions about the evils of factory farming or the abuse received by mass-produced livestock throughout the entire process. (This gal avoids confrontation at all costs.) However, in my eyes, the blatant and undeniable differences between store-bought eggs and those yielded from hens raised by some local farmers is astounding!

Interestingly, I recently read an article claiming that any variations between eggs originating in those two ways were practically indistinguishable. Hmm. Either my palate is quite refined (I think not) or the eggs being tested (either the local or store-bought varieties or both) are simply incomparable to what I'm buying.

Let me describe the eggs I recently got from my cousin, personally snatched from the nests of her brood and delivered shortly thereafter: the shell is firmer, the yolk is bigger and brighter, the taste is richer, and bonus--the guilt-factor is nonexistent. I can only vouch for my experience, but while the price tag may be on the higher side, methinks this is one instance where doling out a bit more is worth it.

Nurtured egg and cheese shmiscuit, anyone?