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Kokua Line
Question: Supermarkets sell eggs that are labeled "shell-protected." What is the difference between shell-protected eggs and regular ones? What is the material used for protecting the shell? Does shell-protected mean the eggs will not crack? Do I need to wash them before cooking? Shell concerns are
nothing to yolk aboutAnswer: We looked to the American Egg Board for answers to your questions and found out you're getting overly egg-cited.
"Shell-protected" is an industry term signifying that eggs have been coated with a thin, edible coating of mineral oil, said spokeswoman Elisa Maloberti. It doesn't mean the eggs will not crack.
"Just before an egg is laid, the hen puts a 'bloom' on the egg which seals its pores. It helps to prevent bacteria from getting inside the shell and reduces moisture loss," Maloberti said.
But before eggs are sent to market, they are washed and sanitized.
"This is necessary for cleanliness, but it removes the bloom," Maloberti said. "To restore protection, packers give the eggs a light coating of edible mineral oil to replace the bloom. It is not necessary to rewash eggs."
We looked up the egg board's Web site -- http://www.aeb.org -- and found some answers to general egg questions that you might find interesting.
For example, what do you think those stringy white pieces are in raw eggs? Some people think they're a fetus or some imperfection. Actually, those ropy strands, called chalazae (ka-LAY-zee), are "a natural, edible part of the egg. They keep the yolk centered" in the thick white part of the egg.
Why do some hard-cooked eggs have a greenish ring around the yolk? The green ring is harmless and due to an iron and sulfur compound that forms when you overcook the eggs or don't cool them quickly.
And what's the difference between brown and white-shelled eggs? Nothing when it comes to quality, nutrients, flavor or cooking characteristics, according to the egg board. Brown eggs do come from slightly larger birds that require more food, so brown eggs are usually more expensive than white ones.
More on prerecorded calls
A couple more readers called to complain about receiving prerecorded telephone solicitations from a solar company. Call 587-3222 to file a complaint with the state Office of Consumer Protection.Meanwhile, a caller added, "Tell your readers about a toll-free number they can call to stop all unsolicited calls. It's called Opt Out. Call 1-888-567-8688. It works!"
The "Opt Out" number won't stop all unsolicited calls. But by calling that one number, as mentioned in Kokua Line previously, you can ask to have your name excluded from lists prescreened and sold by major credit reporting agencies.
Mahalo
To the Poipu Fire Department and staff at Wilcox Memorial Hospital. On our recent trip to Kauai, I was taken ill in the middle of the night. My family called 911 and not only did the fire crew respond immediately, but they were exceptionally kind and considerate. Thank you to Maureen and the others who responded. At Wilcox, I was taken care of by wonderful nurses on the third floor: Lisa, Lydia, Jocelyn and others. I had several doctors, but my main doctor was Sharon Ayabe, who was extremely professional and caring. I understand Wilcox is one of the top 100 hospitals in the country and I can believe that. Everyone I came in contact with showed pure aloha spirit. -- Alvira La Susa, Sun City West, Ariz.
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