National Egg Day
National Egg Day is observed every year on June 3rd to celebrate the staple in human diets for centuries.
Eggs offer a nutritious, versatile and delicious touch to all meals across the globe.
National Egg Day was founded by the American Egg Board in 1996 to celebrate and highlight the incredible versatility and importance of eggs.
History of Eggs
Eggs have been a significant part of human meals since ancient times as it is believed humans have been consuming wild birds eggs since ancient times.
Later, people started domesticating birds for their eggs.
Chickens, originally from Southeast Asia and the Indian subcontinent, were likely domesticated for their eggs as early as 7500 BCE.
By 1500 BCE, chickens had reached Sumer and Egypt, and by 800 BCE, they arrived in Greece, where people had mostly eaten quail eggs before.
In ancient Egypt, eggs were considered special. A tomb painting from around 1420 BCE shows a man carrying ostrich and pelican eggs as offerings.
In ancient Rome, eggs were often the first course of meals, and people crushed eggshells on their plates to stop evil spirits from hiding in them.
During the Middle Ages, eggs were not eaten during Lent, a Christian fasting period. This break also helped farmers save food and rest their hens.
By the 1600s in France, people enjoyed scrambled eggs mixed with fruit juices, which may have led to the creation of lemon curd.
In the 1800s, the dried egg industry began, making eggs easier to store and transport.
A company in St. Louis, Missouri, started drying eggs in 1878. During World War II, dried eggs became essential for soldiers and allies.
The egg carton was invented in 1911 by Joseph Coyle in Canada to prevent eggs from breaking during transport.
At first, cartons were made of paper, but later, plastic and polystyrene became popular.
By the 21st century, paper cartons made from recycled materials became more common again because they are better for the environment.
Originally, wild chickens laid only about 12 eggs a year. However, through selective breeding, modern hens can now lay over 300 eggs annually, providing a steady supply year-round.
Celebrating National Egg Day
National Egg Day can be celebrated in several ways like by trying out a new egg recipe or a classic one.
Be it an omelet, sunny side up or something experimental, this could be a fun way to enjoy this versatile ingredient.
Hosting a brunch with friends and family is another great way to celebrate—serve delicious egg-based dishes like quiches, scrambled eggs, or Eggs Benedict for a delightful meal.
