White eggs, not brown: a low-emission Easter brunch
Editor Elcke Vels put together a delicious and responsible Easter brunch.
Published on April 17, 2025
Our DATA+ expert, Elcke Vels, explores AI, cyber security, and Dutch innovation. Her "What if..." column imagines bold scenarios beyond the norm.
I have been looking forward to it for weeks: a delicious Easter brunch with the family. This year I made a promise to my mother that I too would do my bit. While I was thinking about what I would make, I wondered: how much CO₂ do I actually emit with all those Easter treats? Eggs, croissants... what to choose, and what to leave out? So here it is: my low-emission Easter brunch.
White instead of brown eggs
Maybe I'm a bit old-fashioned. But Easter brunch isn't Easter brunch without eggs. Granted, it is better to use plant-based alternatives as much as possible. But if you do choose to serve eggs, it is better to choose white eggs. They produce slightly fewer CO₂ emissions than brown eggs. Four percent, to be exact. This is apparently because white egg chickens use their feed more efficiently.
Wholemeal bread over white
Eggs: check. Of course, we also have to make sure the whole house smells of fresh bread from the oven. This year we are going for wholemeal bread rolls. According to research, wholemeal bread has 5% lower CO₂ emissions than white bread. And it tastes just as good!
Mozzarella and cottage cheese
What are we having on bread? I'll be serving soft cheeses—mozzarella and cottage cheese. No Gouda this year. Soft cheeses need less milk, and that means fewer emissions. Mozzarella, for example, is made from about five to eight liters of milk per kilogram of cheese. For Gouda cheese, that's nine to ten liters.
Seasonal fruit
I also go wild with apple-cinnamon compote and plant-based yoghurt. I fill a nice little bowl for everyone at the table. No tropical fruit today—apples and pears are the underdogs of the fruit assortment with the lowest environmental impact. Straight from the Dutch fields, without the use of a greenhouse.
Leave out the coffee
What are we going to drink with it? We will leave out the coffee this time. Tea will be on the table. Not because I don't like coffee, but because a cup of tea is on average ten times less harmful to the environment, also in terms of emissions. Black tea with a cloud of oat milk.
Chocolate Easter eggs: just in case
And for those with a sweet tooth: chocolate Easter eggs! They are a must. We'll go for the pure variety. That requires less milk. Dairy is notorious for its emissions, so it's a nice, responsible choice.
Every little bit helps
Of course, it could always be even better. Completely vegan. Or skip chocolate Easter eggs entirely - because cocoa is simply a heavy burden on the climate. But it doesn't have to be perfect. We have made a number of conscious choices, and every little bit helps.
My stomach is already rumbling. In any case, it must have approved of this sustainable Easter brunch!
