Easter 2016

An Easier and Faster Way to Hard-Boiled Eggs

New Easy-Peel Hard-Boiled Egg Technique Saves Time, Makes Peeling Easier

Park Ridge, Ill (March 14, 2016) – Difficulty peeling off the shells is the top barrier to making hard-boiled eggs more often, according a recent consumer survey. Fortunately, just in time for Easter – the biggest hard-boiled holiday of all – the American Egg Board is introducing a new method to help make eggs not only easier to peel, but takes 30 percent less time.

1. HEAT ½- to 1-inch of water in a large saucepan to boiling over high heat. Carefully place steamer insert into pan over boiling water OR proceed to Step 2, if not using a steamer insert.
2. Carefully ADD eggs using a large spoon or tongs. COVER pan. Continue cooking 12 minutes for large eggs (13 minutes for extra large eggs).
3. DRAIN immediately and serve warm. OR, cool completely under cold running water or in bowl of ice water, then REFRIGERATE.

Instead of waiting for an entire pot filled with water and eggs to boil, this method relies on filling the pot with less water and adding eggs after it’s brought to a boil. This cuts the classic hard-boiling cook time by nearly one-third. Making hard-boiled eggs fast and easy-to-peel is good news for the millions who search for “boiled eggs,” one of the most popular search terms related to “eggs” in Google. “Hard-boiled eggs” is also the most popular recipe on IncredibleEgg.org.

Eggceptionally Easy and Eye-Catching Easter Eggs

Once you’ve mastered the art of hard-boiling, it’s time to start decorating. Modern designs on jewel-toned and spring-colored hard-boiled eggs are easy to make, great for displaying and tasty to eat, making them a staple for Easter celebrations. Pick up an extra dozen eggs for hard-boiling, find the right egg dye color combinations and then give these fun ideas a try:

• Stick To It: Take rolls of craft tape (Japanese Washi Tape) from your local craft store and start wrapping. Mix and match different colors and patterns of tape to give eggs a modern edge.

• Perfect Polka: Use the eraser end of a pencil to paint perfect polka dots on your egg. Just dip the eraser into acrylic craft paint and dab onto the egg. Make different patterns and use different colors to create your whimsical designs!

• Glitter Eggs: Add sparkle to your eggs by covering them in your favorite colored glitter. Brush craft glue over the egg until the entire surface is covered. Sprinkle a handful of glitter on paper plates and start rolling!

• Cascarones: Give family and friends good luck by making a dozen “confetti eggs,” a Latin American tradition, and cracking it over their heads! Follow our step-by-step guide on how to empty the eggshells. Once they’re clean and dry, dye the egg shells and fill the insides with confetti. Place glue around the edges of the hole, cover it with colorful tissue paper and get cracking.

Egg Consumption & Easter

Whether you’re decorating them, eating them, or both, there is no denying it: eggs are a huge part of the Easter season, growing in popularity and consumption every year.

• During the 2015 Easter marketing period, shell egg sales increased by 0.6 percent over the similar period for Easter 2014. (USDA)

• The average person consumed 1.5 dozen eggs at Easter in 2015, a 5.5 percent increase over 2014. (USDA)

• The average U.S. household consumed 4 dozen eggs at Easter in 2015, a 5 percent increase over 2014 . (USDA)

• In 2015, sales of eggs in dozens were up 15 percent during the month of Easter vs. the same 4-week period in 2014. (Nielsen)

• In 2015, Easter egg sales (in dollars) were up 17%, a $29 million increase from 2014. (Nielsen)

For egg decorating tips, the perfect way to hard-boil, egg recipes and more, visit IncredibleEgg.org and Incredible Eggs on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.

For more Easter tips,  how to have a fun and safe Easter egg hunt, brunch recipes and a second helping of Bacon – the Bacon Brothers, that is – visit us at IncredibleEgg.org and check us out on Facebook page, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube and Instagram.

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About the American Egg Board (AEB)

Through AEB, U.S. egg producers come together, in accordance with statutory authority, to establish, finance and execute coordinated programs, on research, education and promotion—all geared to drive demand for eggs and egg products. The Board consists of 18 members and 18 alternates from all regions of the country, nominated by the egg industry, and appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture.  AEB and all program activities are funded by U.S. egg producers, subject to USDA approval. AEB is located in Park Ridge, Ill. Visit www.IncredibleEgg.org for more information.