Chicken eggs make up a good chunk of the typical American breakfast. The selection of chicken eggs can feel a bit overwhelming at times. Just from one type of poultry, you can have multiple types of eggs, including:
- Standard
- Jumbo
- Free-range
- Free-run
- Organic
- Vitamin-enhanced
Still, sometimes people want something different, something exotic. Many birds lay edible eggs, and some you probably wouldn't expect.
1. Ostrich
Ostrich eggs are exotic by American standards but are edible and share many similarities with the typical chicken egg. The size is likely the most notable difference when compared to chicken eggs or any egg.
Despite the size difference, ostrich eggs taste and look similar to chicken eggs. They also provide several nutritional benefits. A single ostrich egg contains:
- Protein (176 grams)
- Vitamin A
- Potassium
- Calcium
- Magnesium
- Iron
To put the egg's size in perspective, you can fit about 20 chicken eggs in one ostrich egg. Jumbo chicken eggs weigh about 70 grams, but an ostrich egg weighs about 1,400 grams.
2. Quail Eggs
On the opposite side of the size spectrum, quail eggs are about a third of the size of an average chicken egg. For the size of the eggs, they are very nutritious.
One quail egg supplies a decent chunk of your daily requirements for choline, selenium, riboflavin, and vitamin B12. You get all that nutritional value at only 14 calories.
As quail eggs are unpasteurized, people need to take precautions. You need to ensure that quail eggs are cooked thoroughly, especially if you are pregnant or have a compromised immune system. It is not wise to have an over-easy quail egg.
Aside from the size and the need for extra precautions, quail eggs and chicken eggs taste similar. By weight, quail eggs contain more protein, B12, riboflavin, iron, and fat than chicken eggs. The eggs are also rarer and more expensive than chicken eggs.
3. Duck Eggs
A staple in Asian cuisines, duck eggs are becoming more popular in other parts of the world, including America. The eggs are about 50% to 100% larger than chicken eggs. Duck eggs also come in various colors, including:
- White
- Gray
- Blue
- Green
- Black
Both the duck and chicken eggs taste similar. However, many people believe duck eggs are creamier and richer than chicken eggs.
Both egg types pack a nutritional punch. Duck eggs tend to have more nutritional benefits because of their size.
4. Goose Eggs
Like ostrich eggs, goose eggs dwarf chicken eggs. The typical goose egg is about three times larger than a chicken egg. Because of the size difference, goose eggs pack a more significant nutritional punch.
You can cook eggs from geese the same way you cook chicken eggs, but it will take longer. For example, when frying the egg, you want to cook it at a lower temperature, so the white doesn't burn. People who consume goose eggs say they taste richer than chicken eggs.
No one said breakfast had to be a bland meal. The next time you think about having eggs, think about trying something new and exotic. Whether you're feeding yourself or an entire family, there are eggs of various sizes and nutritional benefits to fit the bill.