Do duck eggs taste like chicken eggs? Yes, they taste similar, except duck eggs are richer and more intense-flavored. They’re also larger and tasteless watery.
While chicken eggs are more popular and widely consumed, duck eggs are far more versatile. Given the subtle differences in the taste and texture, duck eggs are certainly a superior choice to standard eggs. Switching to them can help uplift your bland breakfast meals while adding a bit of nutrition and taste!
In this article, we’ll tell you how these two poultry eggs compare. You’ll also learn about how duck eggs hold up to chicken eggs.
Duck Egg vs. Chicken Egg Taste
Flavor and texture
Duck eggs are believed to be tastier than standard eggs for their unique taste and texture. The duck egg whites are thicker than their counterparts, making them a better choice for whipping up indulgent desserts. The thicker consistency of the duck egg white makes them rich, creamy, and fluffy! Additionally, duck egg yolks have a bright-orange tint with an intensely eggy flavor. Its buttery yolk contains a delicate flavor like none other!
Generally, both chicken and duck eggs taste pretty similar; however, it’s widely known that duck eggs taste more pleasant than standard eggs. The higher fat content present in them contributes to the delicious flavor!
One factor that distinguishes the two is a unique earthy-grassy flavor in duck eggs, which is usually missing in chicken eggs. This distinct flavor comes from their feed; ducks typically graze on grass and also consume various worms, insects, and bugs. So, in some cases, you may even find a strange, “gamey” flavor in duck eggs!
Appearance
Because duck eggs are larger than chicken eggs, they have more mass. You’ll also find the duck eggshell to be much thicker, which gives them a better shelf-life. When you crack open the duck eggshell, you’ll find that the yolk is noticeably large and bold in color, compared to chicken eggs. Moreover, the egg whites are also thicker and surprisingly very clear, whereas chicken egg whites have a slight tint of yellow.
Baking
The dense texture of the duck egg whites makes it an apt choice for baking. That’s because they’re less watery and contain more fat content. Moreover, duck eggs have larger yolks, which means you get fluffier baked goods like cakes and cupcakes than those you’d get with chicken eggs. It also adds more volume to meringues and helps them rise higher. Most importantly, you get a richer flavor!
However, the larger mass of duck eggs can get tricky to work with. For example, three chicken eggs have a mass equal to two duck eggs! Therefore, you may need to experiment with the quantity or proportions to get the desired results.
Cooking
Both duck and chicken eggs are quite versatile for cooking; you can poach, fry, and boil them or use them for making quiche, frittata, or casseroles. In short, you can prepare several dishes with duck eggs as you would with chicken eggs. Keep in mind; that they may require more cooking time to get the desired level of doneness. But, avoid overcooking the duck eggs as they may turn rubbery. Here’s a tip; cook the egg until the sides are firm and the whites are no longer runny.
In French cuisine, duck eggs are mainly fried or poached and served alongside a serving of meat or vegetables of your choice. That’s because duck eggs have a velvety texture and taste richer than standard eggs. Chinese recipes, on the other hand, often call for preserved duck eggs, which are prepared through a process of brining.
Nutrition and Health
The larger size means duck eggs have a higher content of everything good. Since ducks graze more freely than caged birds, they lay more nutrient-rich eggs. While a standard egg has over 35 milligrams of omega-3 fatty acids, a duck egg has more than 70 milligrams!
Duck eggs contain more fats, proteins, vitamins, and minerals compared to chicken eggs, but they’re also high in cholesterol. The high cholesterol level means you must limit your daily intake to one egg to prevent health issues.
Conclusion
When it comes to duck eggs vs. chicken eggs, the creamy texture and eggy flavor of duck eggs are, hands-down, the clear winner.
Although both taste quite similar, the flavor of duck eggs is relatively more intense and rich. Its yolk is also much smoother than chicken egg yolk. The flavorful taste and thick texture are why most people opt for duck eggs when it comes to baking. They have less water content and more protein and fat. Moreover, the higher yolk-to-white ratio adds a unique fluffy texture to cakes and meringues.
Additionally, these eggs are also nutrient-dense and contain several health properties. Because of their superior quality, duck eggs are also costlier than standard eggs. However, since they’re high in cholesterol, you should avoid having more than one duck egg in a day.