[Sca-cooks] **OOP** Hard Cooking Eggs

[Olwen the Odd]

According to the American Egg Board located at;
http://www.aeb.org/facts/index.html

Yolk:
Yolk color depends on the diet of the hen. If she gets plenty of
yellow-orange plant pigments known as xanthophylls, they will be deposited
in the yolk. Hens fed mashes containing yellow corn and alfalfa meal lay
eggs with medium yellow yolks, while those eating wheat or barley yield
lighter-colored yolks. A colorless diet, such as white cornmeal produces
almost colorless yolks. Natural yellow-orange substances such as marigold
petals may be added to light-colored feeds to enhance yolk color. Artificial
color additives are not permitted. Gold or lemon-colored yolks are preferred
by most buyers in this country. Yolk pigments are relatively stable and are
not lost or changed in cooking.
Sometimes there is a greenish ring around hard-cooked egg yolks. It is the
result of sulfur and iron compounds in the egg reacting at the surface of
the yolk. It may occur when eggs are overcooked or when there is a high
amount of iron in the cooking water. Although the color may be a bit
unappealing, the eggs are still wholesome and nutritious and their flavor is
unaffected.  Greenish yolks can best be avoided by using the proper cooking
time and temperature and by rapidly cooling the cooked eggs.

Occasionally several concentric green rings may be seen in hard-cooked egg
yolks. A yolk develops within the hen in rings. Iron in the hen's feed or
water as the rings are formed may cause this coloring.

Sometimes a large batch of scrambled eggs may turn green. Although not
pretty, the color change is harmless.

It is due to a chemical change brought on by heat and occurs when eggs are
cooked at too high a temperature, held for too long or both. Using stainless
steel equipment and low cooking temperature, cooking in small batches and
serving as soon as possible after cooking will help to prevent this. If it
is necessary to hold scrambled eggs for a short time before serving, it
helps to avoid direct heat. Place a pan of hot water between the pan of eggs
and the heat source.

Lady Olwen the Odd
Clan of Odds
House Blackstar
Order of the Pearl
Barony of Bright Hills
Kingdom of Atlantia!




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