Why Do Blood Spots Occur In Eggs?
Why do these little red dots occur in the first place?
Mostly it comes down to biology and an occasional glitch in the hen’s reproductive system. The most common reasons include:
A small blood vessel burst open during the release of the yolk.
Older hens (hens that are past their prime) are likely to produce more eggs with spots.
Stress or malnutrition.
Genetics.
Commercial egg producers sort through eggs to identify those with spots. However, due to the limitations of the sorting process, not every egg with a spot will pass through the sorting process. Backyard eggs, or eggs from small farms, are more likely to have blood spots since they are less likely to have been sorted prior to arriving at your kitchen.
Are Eggs With Blood Spots Safe To Eat?
The ultimate question people want to know is: are eggs with blood spots safe to eat?
Short Answer: Yes.
Longer Answer: Yes, as long as the egg is fresh and cooked correctly.
A blood spot is merely a cosmetic defect and does not indicate spoilage, illness, or contamination. It is still perfectly fine to consume in your omelette, scrambled eggs, cake batter, or whatever recipe you have planned.
In my own experiences, most people just scrape out the spot using the point of a spoon or knife if it makes them uncomfortable with the visual aspect. Of course, you do not have to.
If you do not like the appearance, feel free to remove it before cooking.
Blood Spots vs. Meat Spots: What Is the Difference?
Yes, the infamous “meat spot,” another bizarre egg occurrence.
While blood spots are red or dark specks from freshly broken eggs, meat spots are typically brown, tan or gray. These are formed of tissue or pigment that became lodged within the egg during its development in the oviduct.
As mentioned earlier, both blood and meat spots are entirely natural and completely safe to eat. They just look different.
When You Should Get Rid of An Egg
While a blood spot is not an issue, not all eggs are created equal. Sometimes an egg is truly bad, and it has absolutely nothing to do with red specks.
Here are when you should toss the egg:
- The egg smells bad, like sulfur or rot.
- The whites or yolks appear unusual (green, pink or black coloration).
- There is mold.
- The egg is sticky or has an unusual texture.
- It was cracked and left unrefrigerated.
If you are unsure, do the classic sniff test after cracking. That whiff will tell you whether the egg is safe or not.
