UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
BULLETIN No. 471 
Contribution from the States Relations Service 
A, C. TRUE, Director 
^W#U"d* 
Washington, D. C. 
PROFESSIONAL PAPER 
January 31, 1917 
EGGS AND THEIR VALUE AS FOOD. 
By C. F. Langworthy, Chief, Office of Home Economics. 
CONTENTS. 
Introduction 1 
Description and composition of eggs 3 
Cooking and serving eggs 12 
Digestibility of eggs 15 
Wholesomeness of eggs 16 
The supply of eggs from the housekeeper's 
standpoint 17 
Preserving eggs and its effect on the house- 
hold supply 21 
Frozen eggs, desiccated eggs, and egg substi- 
tutes 24 
Importance of eggs as food and their place in 
the diet 25 
INTRODUCTION. 
Perhaps no article of diet of animal origin is more commonly eaten 
in all countries or served in a greater variety of ways than eggs. 
Hens' eggs are most common, although the eggs of domestic poultry 
other than hens are sometimes used. Guinea eggs are eaten where 
they are readily obtained and are much prized for their delicate 
flavor. Turkey eggs are mild in flavor and are eaten to some extent, 
though they are usually too valuable for hatching to be much used as 
food. Ducks' eggs are stronger or more pronounced in flavor than 
hens' eggs, the feed apparently exercising considerable influence on 
the flavor, but they are much liked by many and are now used more 
than formerly. Goose eggs are still stronger in flavor. Nevertheless, 
they have some use for table purposes, especially in regions where 
goose raising is common. In South Africa, where ostrich raising is 
an important industry, the eggs are used as food to some extent and 
are regarded as of excellent quality for cookery. Their food value 
is also recognized in those regions of the United States where os- 
triches are raised. 
Note. — This bulletin is of special interest to housekeepers and to home-economics 
extension workers, teachers, and students. It summarizes data regarding the nature 
and uses of eggs and the effects of methods of handling, storing, and marketing upon the 
value of eggs in the household. 
61383°— Bull. 471—17 1 
