bathing, and spreading their wings Free-Range and FreeRoaming chickens generally also have access to outdoor areas, but the labeling laws have no requirements as far as the size or quality of the area goes, nor for how long the chickens must be allowed out Fact of the matter is, most of these chickens never set foot outside the barn These labels are not audited—you’re going on the word of the producer alone • Certified Organic eggs come from chickens kept in open barns or warehouses with an unspecified degree of outdoor access (again, for all intents and purposes, probably none) They must be fed an organic, allvegetarian diet free of animal by-products, antibiotics, and pesticides, and farms are checked for compliance by the USDA • Certified Humane eggs have been verified by third-party auditors, and this label requires stricter controls on stocking densities, giving the chickens more space and the ability to engage in natural behaviors like nesting and perching Producers are not allowed to engage in forced molting, the practice of inducing hens into a laying cycle by starving them (this practice is allowed for all other types of eggs) • Omega-3–Enriched eggs come from chickens that have been fed supplements made from flaxseed or fish oil to increase the levels of omega-3 fatty acid—an essential fatty acid touted with several health benefits—in their yolks While some people claim eggs high in omega-3s have a “fishy” aroma, in blind tastings, I’ve found no significant differences in the way these eggs taste If animal welfare is a concern, you are making a good step in the right direction by purchasing only Certified Organic or Certified Humane eggs If you’ve got a local farmers’ market where you can actually talk to the farmer producing the eggs you’re purchasing, you’re making an even better decision Of course, the very best thing you can do is to build your own coop (or, better yet, convince your neighbor to so) and keep a couple chickens It won’t save you much money in the long run, unless you keep a large flock and eat a lot of eggs, but you’ll have the freshest-possible eggs and probably make plenty of friends in the process Q: That’s all well and good for the chickens, but do Certified Organic or local eggs taste better, like the guys at the farmers’ market would like you to think? That’s a good question, and one that I’ve wondered about often It seems natural that a happier, healthier chicken roaming around a backyard poking, scratching, eating bugs and worms, clucking, and doing all the charming and funny things chickens should produce tastier eggs, right? I mean, I know that some of the best-tasting eggs I’ve ever eaten have come fresh out of the coops or backyards of friends who keep their own flocks The yolks were richer, the whites tighter and more flavorful, and it was just an allaround better experience Or was it? What if all their greatness was simply in my head? To test this, I organized a blind tasting in which I had tasters taste regular supermarket eggs, plain organic eggs, organic eggs with varying levels of omega-3, and eggs fresh ... even better decision Of course, the very best thing you can do is to build your own coop (or, better yet, convince your neighbor to so) and keep a couple chickens It won’t save you much money in the. .. have the freshest-possible eggs and probably make plenty of friends in the process Q: That’s all well and good for the chickens, but do Certified Organic or local eggs taste better, like the guys... backyards of friends who keep their own flocks The yolks were richer, the whites tighter and more flavorful, and it was just an allaround better experience Or was it? What if all their greatness was simply in my head?