Initially, the main poultry products include chicken, turkey, and chicken eggs. Recently, the duck has joined the group, and duck eggs have become a demanding product in most restaurants and homes.
If you’re an egg lover, it’s time to explore more and try exciting options like duck eggs recipes.Eggs make a great breakfast and duck eggs can make an amazing swap for the ordinary hen’s variety. You can cook with a duck’s egg as much as you can with a hen’s egg. You can poach, boil, or scramble it to enjoy a tasty meal. What if you’re not a fan of duck, and you fear a duck egg will disappoint you? Well, here is all information you should have about duck eggs.
How does a duck egg look like?
Duck eggshells are available in varied colors. It depends on the bird’s breed. The common varieties include white, light green, different shades of grey, black, and brown. However, the eggshell’s color does not have any impact on the egg’s flavor or any other properties. Still focusing on the eggshell, one of its most recognizable features is its thickness. It’s much more thicker than the hen’s egg. You’ll notice cracking a duck’s egg requires more force than what you probably use on other varieties of eggs. Also, its yolk is bigger, and its whiteness is strikingly clearer than what you’re used to.
What are the general nutrition facts of duck eggs?
A 70 grams egg has;
- Calories 130
- Cholesterol 619mg
- Total fat 10g
- Total carbohydrates 1g
- Protein 9g
- Sodium 102mg
Do duck eggs contain any nutrients?
This section couldn’t miss in this article. Otherwise not including it would have made it difficultto convince duck eggs’ opponents, why they should consider trying this incredible poultry product. Several nutrition experts claim duck eggs have double the content of nutrients than that of chicken eggs. When it comes to the nutritional value you’ll get from a duck, it all depends on what the bird feeds on. Fine nutrients a duck egg will offer you include Vitamin D, A, E, choline, iron, selenium, riboflavin,vitamin B12, and omega 3 fatty acids.
If the bird feeds on poultry food that is of low quality, the eggs will have poor nutritional value. As for ducks that consume fortified feeds and plants like grass, spinach, and algae, you’ll get rich nutrients from it. For that reason, eggs from backyard ducks appear healthier than those store-bought eggs. That being said, an egg from a farm-fresh duck is likely to be healthier than an egg from a duck without a varied diet.
Why are duck eggs better than hen eggs?
Although chicken eggs are more popular than duck eggs, most individuals who have tried the latter prefer it to chicken eggs. You may end up never going back to chicken eggs once you interact with duck eggs and realize their better properties. Some of the reasons you may choose duck eggs over chicken eggs include;
Duck eggs have a longer shelf life
Duck eggs are naturally thicker than other types of eggs. Its inner membrane is also denser, making them stay fresher for a longer time. Unlike chicken eggs, duck eggs have lower chances of breaking after dropping by accident.
Duck eggs are creamier
This quality is only impressive to individuals who love their eggs creamy. Due to their big yolk and higher content of fat, their taste is less watery and much creamier than chicken eggs. Hence, you can make a better-fried egg using a duck egg than that of a chicken.
Duck eggs have more proteins
Duck contains around 30% more proteins than a chicken egg. This type of protein is unique and healthier, which tends to be safe for individuals allergic to a chicken egg.
Duck eggs are more nutritious
Compared to hen eggs, duck eggs have higher amount of nutrients. Any bird that feeds on a wide range of pastures will lay eggs that contain higher quantity and quality nutrients. You’ll obtain more content of Vitamin D, A, fatty acids, folate, iron, and choline if you take duck eggs.
Duck eggs make better baking ingredients because they have more protein and fats, and less water. Also, they have a better yolk/white ratio than hen’s eggs. Hence, using duck eggs will give you fluffier cakes, lighter bread, and yummier cookies. Like chicken eggs, duck eggs too servemulti-purposes in culinary options. Ensure you don’t overcook them because doing so reduces some of their nutrients and dilutes they umminess.
Ducks are all-year-round layers
Ducks have better laying abilities than chicken. Whether it’s dry seasons or wet days, this bird will still have stimulated ovaries and lay eggs. Thus,reducing disappointments among egg lovers. There’ll be no need to wait for specific months to be frying an egg!
Duck’s productive life is longer
While chickens can only lay eggs for two years or less and start losing their production abilities, ducks do better. Duck’s laying life is long and can last up to five years depending on the bird’s breed.
Ducks have lower maintenance needs and a lower mortality rate
Ask any chicken farmer and observe the pain in their voice when narrating how much of a work it is to maintain hens. Maintaining hens is more difficult due to their high mortality rate caused by conditions like Mareks, coccidiosis, and avian flu. Ducks are more heat-tolerant, overall healthier, and not easily sickened by parasites. Also, taking care of them, their feeds and general maintenance requires less effort.
What can you do with a duck egg?
How you’ll prepare a chicken egg is exactly how you’ll make a duck egg. Be careful when frying them because they have low water content and overcooking will result in a rubbery egg. Trust me you won’t enjoy such a fried egg. The best foods to use duck egg as an ingredient include;
- Bread
- Omelets
- Pastries and cakes
- Custards and flans
- Add to hams, salmon, or potatoes
Conclusion
What impressed you about duck eggs based on the information provided above? Is it the taste, duck eggshell’s appearance, or everything mentioned?It’s still okay if you’re not yet convinced duck eggs make great baking ingredients and fried eggs. If words are not enough to convince you,why not buy a duck egg and try it yourself? I bet you’ll agree with everything we’ve mentioned after cooking with it.
MS, Lund University, Sweden
Nutrition plays an important role in human life. Eating habits are one of the factors that affect our health. There is often a misconception among people that nutritionists force a very restrictive diet, but that is not true. In fact, I don't ban any products, but I point out dietary mistakes and help change them by giving tips and new recipes that I've tried myself. I advise my patients not to resist change and to be purposeful. Only with willpower and determination can a good result be achieved in any area of life, including changing eating habits. When I don't work, I love to go climbing. On a Friday evening, you are most likely to find me on my couch, cuddling with my dog and watching some Netflix.
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