Yolk Means the Yellow Part, Literally
A yolk is the yellow centre of an egg. Its name is simply the word yellow.
A yolk is the yellow internal part of an egg, the food store for the developing embryo. The word is Old English *geolca*, formed directly from *geolu*, yellow — so calling it the yellow yolk is a tautology. The white is *albumen*, from Latin *albus*, white, so both parts of an egg are named after their colour. A yolk's colour depends entirely on the hen's diet: pigments from maize, marigold or grass produce deep orange, while wheat-fed hens lay pale ones.
- The yellow part. *An egg yolk.*
- Albumen — the white. *Albumen.*
- Yellow — the same word. *Yellow.*
- Yolky. *A yolky sauce.*
- Old English — *geolca*. *The source.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | yolk | A yolk. |
| Plural | yolks | Yolks. |
| Related | yellow | Yellow. |
| Related | albumen | Albumen. |
| Old English | geolu | Yellow. |
- Separate the yolk from the white.Cooking.
- Yolk means yellow.Etymology.
- Colour depends on diet.Fact.
What makes a yolk orange
- Carotenoid pigments from the hen's food colour the yolk
- Maize, marigold and grass produce deep orange
- Wheat and barley give pale yellow
- Colour says nothing about nutrition or welfare by itself
- Some producers add pigment deliberately
Old English *geolca*, from *geolu*, yellow.
What does yolk literally mean?
The yellow part. It is formed directly from the Old English word for yellow.
Why are some yolks orange?
Because of carotenoid pigments in the hen's diet, from maize, marigold or grass. Colour alone says nothing about quality.