There are many reasons to love Trader Joe’s. Thanks to their affordable prices, we could spend hours wandering the aisles and exploring new and exciting products. Some of the unique items that have made their way into our carts are Thanksgiving-flavored kettle chips, pickle corn dogs, and countless spins on the iconic Everything But The Bagel seasoning. But one of the weirdest foods at Trader Joe’s is actually hiding in plain sight.
TikTok user @findingmom.me recently posted a video of her buying a carton of fertilized chicken eggs at Trader Joe's. After she took them home, she placed them in an incubator and actually hatched chicks!
As cute as the newborn chicks are, we’re stuck on the fact that Trader Joe’s sells fertilized eggs! And in nearly identical packaging as the standard eggs!
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We immediately rushed to our refrigerator to check that we didn’t inadvertently buy them at our local TJ’s. But we couldn't help but wonder why they would sell fertile eggs in the first place? And even more puzzlingly, why would people even want to buy them? We decided to investigate.
What Are Fertile Eggs?
Trader Joe’s describes their fertile eggs as ones that were “laid by hens in contact with roosters.” That doesn’t necessarily mean every egg in the carton can hatch. Of the dozen that were incubated in the TikTok, only four yielded chicks.
And to dispel any misconceptions: you’re not going to crack a fertile egg for an omelet and discover an embryo in the pan. Even if an egg is successfully fertilized, it’s refrigerated right away and the incubation process is halted. The only way you could theoretically end up with a home grown batch of chickens is by carefully incubating them at around 100°F.
What Do Fertile Eggs Taste Like?
If the idea of eating a fertilized egg makes you squeamish, don't worry: fertilized eggs taste the same as infertile ones. They even look the same, save for the germinal spot on the yolk. When unfertilized, the germinal spot is a small white dot; the presence of male cells gives the spot a clear center and white rim.
Its impact on the flavor and texture of your egg is negligible. According to the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, "The proportion of these to the total egg is so small that it is impossible to detect chemical differences between fertile and infertile eggs."
What Are The Health Benefits Of Fertile Eggs?
In a series of follow-up videos, @findingmom.me revealed that she buys fertile eggs because of the conditions on the farm. Often times, cage-free and free-range hens are accompanied by a rooster for added security from external predators. This allows the chickens to roam freely and eat grass, rather than the grain-based feed used in commercial egg production. The resulting pasture-raised eggs have higher levels of vitamins A and E as well as fatty acids, according to Pennsylvania State University.
But it's the hen's diet that ultimately impacts the nutrition, not the fertilization. The United States Department of Agriculture says there is no discernible nutritional difference between fertilized and infertile eggs. Regardless of which eggs you pick up at the store, you're getting a reliable source of protein and healthy fats.
Have you ever tried fertile eggs? Let us know in the comments.
Gabby Romero is Delish’s editorial assistant, where she writes stories about the latest TikTok trends, develops recipes, and answers any and all of your cooking-related questions. She loves eating spicy food, collecting cookbooks, and adding a mountain of Parmesan to any dish she can.
