Breaking good: From Jalapeno peppers to blueberries, Ontarians find unique ways to add "eggs-citement" to their omelettes

MISSISSAUGA, ON, Oct. 1, 2013 /CNW/ - October is World Egg Month. A new Angus Reid survey has found Ontarians are tossing everything from jalapeno peppers, curried apples and chocolate chips into their omelettes for a new look and taste that adds "eggs-citement" to any meal.

While cheese (58 per cent), vegetables (25 per cent) and meat (12 per cent) are the three favourite omelette additions, the survey by Egg Farmers of Ontario (EFO) discovered Ontarians aren't afraid to use the frying pan as an experimental playground for their eggs.  Many of us are putting our own creative spin on the classic omelette and challenging a few taste conventions along the way.

Survey respondents are adding everything from berries and baked beans to chia seeds to their omelettes, boldly going where no flavours have gone before. Ever tried an omelette with smoked barbecued eel or curried apples? How about some buckwheat, bean sprouts and blueberries? Those are just a few of the other inspiring combinations Ontarians surveyed are using to create their own signature omelettes.

Breakfast break
The survey also found that omelettes have cracked the convention of being a breakfast-only menu item. Nearly a quarter (24 per cent) of Ontarians say they usually eat their omelettes outside of breakfast - for lunch, dinner or a snack.

"One of the best things about eggs and omelettes is that you can never stop finding new ways to enjoy them or new ingredients to add," says Carol Harrison, Registered Dietitian. "Omelettes are a great way of expressing your culinary creativity, while enjoying the goodness of eggs and their 14 essential nutrients any time of day."

More survey highlights

The survey revealed some other interesting facts about Ontarians and their omelettes:

• Women (62 per cent) are more likely than men (54 per cent) to say cheese is their favourite omelette filling.
• Men (19 per cent) are three times as likely as women (six per cent) to say meat is their favourite omelette filling.
• Women (14 per cent) are more than twice as likely as men (five per cent) to enjoy omelettes for dinner. Women (16 per cent) are also more likely than men (11 per cent) to prefer omelettes for lunch.
• The older we get the more likely we are to enjoy an omelette outside of breakfast:
• Only four per cent of 18-34 year-olds tend to eat their omelettes for lunch compared to 21 per cent of survey respondents over the age of 55.
• Only four per cent of 18-34 year-olds tend to eat their omelettes for dinner compared to 14 per cent of survey respondents over the age of 55.

About the survey
From September 11th to September 12^th, 2013 an online survey was conducted among 798 randomly selected adult Ontario residents who eat omelettes and are Angus Reid Forum panelists. The margin of error—which measures sampling variability—is +/- 3.4%, 19 times out of 20. The results have been statistically weighted according to the most current education, age, gender and region Census data to ensure a sample representative of the entire adult population of Ontario. Discrepancies in or between totals are due to rounding.

About Egg Farmers of Ontario
Egg Farmers of Ontario (EFO) is an organization that represents and is funded entirely by approximately 440 egg farmers and pullet growers in Ontario.  EFO works to ensure that consumers have access to safe, high-quality and reasonably priced eggs with a fair return to the farmer.  For tips, techniques and recipe ideas visit www.eggfarmersofontario.ca.

Image with caption: "Ontario egg farmer, Scott Graham, holds an omelette he prepared to celebrate World Egg Month. (CNW Group/Egg Farmers of Ontario)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20131001_C6018_PHOTO_EN_31534.jpg

SOURCE: Egg Farmers of Ontario

Melanie Filipp
Harbinger
[phone] ext. 246
[email protected]