Egg Fun Facts

The phrase 'egg on your face' (meaning public embarrassment) originated in Victorian-era theater, where audiences threw eggs at performers they didn't like.

Source: Oxford Dictionary of English Idioms

history

Fertile eggs sold in stores will not develop into chicks without incubation at the correct temperature (37.5°C / 99.5°F) and humidity for 21 days.

Source: University of Illinois Extension — Incubation and Embryology

science

In 1493, Columbus brought chickens to the New World on his second voyage. Within 50 years, chickens had spread across the Americas.

Source: Smithsonian National Museum of American History

history

Soufflés rise because air trapped in beaten egg whites expands when heated. The protein network holds the structure — until it cools and often collapses.

Source: On Food and Cooking, Harold McGee

science

The island nation of Tonga has a megapode bird (the Malau) that buries its eggs in volcanically heated soil rather than incubating them with body heat.

Source: BirdLife International

animals

Duck eggs have a higher fat content than chicken eggs (9.6g vs 5g per egg) and produce richer, more tender baked goods. Many professional bakers prefer them.

Source: USDA FoodData Central

cooking

The world consumes approximately 2.3 trillion eggs per year. That's roughly 290 eggs per person on the planet annually.

Source: International Egg Commission, 2022

records