Eggs have been consumed for centuries. Although Christopher Columbus brought the first domesticated birds to the Americas in 1493, records reveal that Chinese and Egyptians raised birds for eggs as early as 1400 BC.
Although most supermarkets in the United States now carry white or brown chicken eggs, consumers still have a wide range of options. On a trip to the market, you can come across the following options:
1. Chicken Eggs
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The most common and extensively utilized type of egg is the chicken egg, which comes first on the list. Anyone for hard-boiled eggs?
Chickens are popular livestock and the fastest and easiest birds to breed for human food, so this should come as no surprise. Fertilized or unfertilized chicken eggs are available. While both are edible, the unfertilized eggs are the most usually marketed. In terms of flavor, there isn’t much of a difference between fertilized and unfertilized eggs.
White or brown chicken eggs are available. Standard, free-run, free-range, organic, or vitamin-enhanced eggs are all options.
2. Duck Eggs
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Duck eggs are one of the most popular chicken egg replacements. Duck eggs have become more popular among those seeking a healthier alternative. Duck eggs are also regarded to be more delicious than chicken eggs.
Duck eggs are larger than chicken eggs and can be twice as large. Duck eggs are recognized for their enormous yolks, which are rich, creamy, and golden. Because of their size, these eggs are also thought to be more nutritious.
A duck egg, on the other hand, can come in a variety of hues. Blue-green, pastel blue, brown, white, and charcoal grey are some examples. The color of the duck’s eggs varies depending on the breed.
Duck eggs are thought to be healthier than chicken eggs. They provide a diverse spectrum of carotenoids, including carotene, cryptoxanthin, zeaxanthin, and lutein, for starters. All of these carotenoids have been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease, cancer, cataracts, and age-related macular degeneration (AMD),
Duck eggs are high in choline and lecithin, in addition to carotenoids. These nutrients are proven to promote healthy cell membrane growth and to keep the brain, neurotransmitters, and nervous system in good shape.
If you’re expecting a child, eating duck eggs is a good idea. Its high choline content can aid in your child’s brain growth.
Egg whites, particularly those from duck eggs, are high in protein. The antiviral, antifungal, and antibacterial properties of egg protein can help you avoid illnesses.
3. Goose Eggs
Can you eat goose eggs if you can eat duck eggs? Yes, it is correct. Goose eggs are eaten by certain individuals; however, due to their strong flavor and drier consistency, only a few people choose to make them a regular part of their diet.
It’s worth noting, though, that geese eggs are high in important vitamins and minerals. Goose eggs, for example, are known to have greater levels of vitamins A, D, and E than chicken eggs. Goose eggs are also high in choline, calcium, and selenium. One disadvantage that you need to be aware of is that goose eggs contain higher cholesterol than chicken eggs.
The eggs of a goose are larger than those of a chicken. As a result, if you’re trying to follow a recipe that calls for chicken eggs, you’ll need to use fewer goose eggs. These eggs are best used in baking, but they may also be served as a side dish. Cooking geese eggs with a hard-boiled egg appears to be the most popular method.
4. Turkey Eggs
In today’s market, turkey eggs are hard to get by. They aren’t as common as chicken eggs in terms of availability. Farmers would prefer to raise turkeys and sell them for a greater price than sell their eggs for this reason. So, if you come across turkey eggs, you should try them.
Because turkeys are larger than chickens, they lay larger eggs. It has more calories and will give you more energy throughout the day. Turkey eggs, on the other hand, have a greater cholesterol level.
Turkey eggs are high in vitamins B9 and B12, as well as selenium, iron, and other minerals. It can also aid in the development of a stronger immune system.
5. Quail Eggs
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When it comes to flavor, quail eggs are strikingly similar to chicken eggs. It is, nevertheless, clearly smaller than chicken eggs. They’re just about a third the size of chicken eggs.
The hue of quail eggs is very intriguing. They are mostly cream in hue, with a few darker and brighter patches.
Quail eggs also have a lot to offer in terms of nutrients. However, because quail eggs are smaller, you may need three to four quail eggs to get a serving size similar to one chicken egg.
It’s startling to learn how healthy a quail egg can be for its size. Selenium, riboflavin, choline, iron, and vitamin 12 are all present in a single quail egg.
However, most quail eggs on the market today are unpasteurized, and hence their shells may still contain hazardous germs.
If you’re pregnant or immunocompromised, make sure you thoroughly boil quail eggs.
6. Caviar Eggs
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We might as well include the caviar eggs because we’re already talking about eggs. Because they come from a sort of fish, these are certainly not your ordinary eggs.
Caviar eggs are also known as roe or unfertilized eggs, and they are extracted from a sturgeon-like fish. To increase the shelf life of caviar eggs, they are usually salt-cured.
Salmon eggs, which are widely used in sushi, are also obtained unfertilized. Sturgeon roe, on the other hand, is the only one that is termed caviar.
Caviar eggs have a unique look as well as a unique flavor. Caviar is usually spherical in shape, and its flavor is unexpectedly not fishy but rather, nutty, buttery, and smooth.
The hue of a caviar egg can range from deep khaki green to jet black. When you bite into authentic caviar, you’ll notice a “Caspian pop” effect. Caviar eggs are high in vitamins and minerals, as one would anticipate from such a luxurious and expensive sort of egg.
Caviar eggs are high in Omega 3, a fatty acid that has been shown to benefit the immunological, circulatory, and neurological systems. Caviar eggs include vitamins A, B6, E, iron, magnesium, and selenium, in addition to Omega 3.
7. Ostrich Eggs
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Ostrich eggs are the largest of all eggs, although they are the smallest when compared to the size of the bird. The average ostrich egg weighs between 1,600 and 2,400 grams. A single ostrich egg is the same size as 24 chicken eggs in terms of volume.
The flavor of an ostrich egg, according to BBC Good Food, is comparable to that of hen’s eggs. Ostrich eggs have a butterier and richer flavor than other eggs. However, the flavor can be a little stronger; some even describe it as gamy.
The flavor of an ostrich egg is described by the Southern Agriculturist as “sweetish yet nasty.” With only a modest quantity of ostrich egg, you may easily satisfy your hunger; thus, it’s best to eat it in a group of two or three.
Because of their transparent parts, ostrich eggs taste more gelatinous compared to chicken eggs when scrambled. The white section of the egg is more rubbery than a chicken’s egg when cooked, but the taste resembles a boiled hen’s egg. Hard boiling an ostrich egg takes roughly one and a half hours, while soft boiling takes one hour.
Ostrich eggs are high in critical nutrients, including choline, folic acid, vitamin B12, and riboflavin, just like chicken eggs. Ostrich eggs are higher in iron and magnesium than chicken eggs but have a smaller amount of vitamin A and vitamin E.
Ostrich eggs are a good choice for folks on a diet since they have a low salt content. They’re also excellent for your heart because they’re abundant in Omega-3 fatty acids and fiber. Because they include elements like manganese, calcium, and zinc, ostrich eggs are a healthier alternative for growth.
8. Bantam Eggs
Bantam eggs are, of course, smaller than regular eggs, at around half the size. When cooking with them, use 3 bantam eggs for every 2 normal eggs.
Regardless, bantam chicken eggs taste the same as bigger chicken eggs, and if your birds have access to pasture, whether they are bantam or large fowl, the eggs will taste far better than store-bought eggs.
Read more here: Do Broccoli and Eggs Go Together | Quinoa Egg Dish | Soft Boiled Eggs | Egg and Raisin Bread | What Protein Goes with Broccoli
Final Thoughts
As you can see, there are many varieties of eggs. We have discussed some of the most common edible eggs that you can easily find in the market or a grocery store. While we prefer eating chicken eggs mostly, you should at least once try each egg variety and see if you find the taste suitable or not. Who knows, you might decide to start eating turkey eggs in the morning instead of the regular chicken egg.