Egg shell changes color in my hand

[Bessinator]

Hi,

I've noticed when I clean the eggs some of them will get lighter where my fingers were. You can see exactly where I've been holding it. We only have brown egg layers and it only happens on the lighter eggs. I was wondering if anyone knows what causes this, or has had this happen?

 

[song of joy]

Hi,

I've noticed when I clean the eggs some of them will get lighter where my fingers were. You can see exactly where I've been holding it. We only have brown egg layers and it only happens on the lighter eggs. I was wondering if anyone knows what causes this, or has had this happen?

Some of the "bloom" is coming off when you get the egg wet and rub it with your fingers. The bloom is the last thing the hen adds to the egg just before laying it. It gives the egg some of its color, it helps retain moisture in the egg, and it acts as a sort of antibacterial sealant. For all of those reasons, many folks don't wash eggs unless they're visibly dirty. I just put them right in the refrigerator, unwashed and they keep well for at least 3 months.

 

[Bessinator]

I don't actually wash the eggs. I'm just taking a dry softer scotch brite pad and getting rid of the excess dirt. The light spots seem like they're coming from the heat of my fingers.

 

[song of joy]

OK, now I understand. Yes, I've seen the same thing, especially when my hands are warm and the eggs are cold. I can see where my fingers were on the eggs, although it seems to go away when the temperature difference goes away.

 

[Bessinator]

Most of them do too, but some stay that way after storing. I just checked and there is still one with the light spots.