Why Some of Our Eggs Are Unwashed

Fresh eggs are one of the simple joys of living close to the land. At Bocci Farm, many of our eggs are sold unwashed, which helps preserve the egg’s natural protective coating, often called the “bloom.” This layer helps seal the shell and can significantly extend shelf life when eggs are stored properly. Many people also feel unwashed eggs retain more freshness and flavor compared to commercially washed eggs.

Poofy Head and Houdini share a nest box. Suzie waits just out of frame.

To help make things easy, our cartons labeled with an “Unwashed” sticker contain eggs that have not been washed. Cartons without the sticker contain washed eggs that have been cleaned and refrigerated in the traditional way.

Because our hens are organically raised and live active outdoor lives, our eggs naturally

vary in color, size, shape, and shell texture. We inspect eggs carefully during collection and packaging, but occasional imperfections are part of working with real farm-fresh products rather than factory-standardized food.

If you ever purchase eggs from us that arrive cracked, damaged, or contain something unusual or interesting inside the shell, we’d genuinely love to see photos. Nature creates some fascinating surprises from time to time, and your feedback helps us continue improving our quality control while sharing the fun side of small-scale farming.

Madam Noir using a nest box. She’s not a fan of having an audience while laying.