Ostrich meat and eggs are exotic in American culture. But that doesn’t mean it’s hard to order an ostrich egg online and cook and eat it at home. (Heck, some gourmet restaurants serve them on the menu, too. ).
The key to cooking and eating ostrich eggs is to know what youre getting into. They are similar to chicken eggs, but there are notable differences. Especially the size, but also the history of this unique animal and what the ostrich egg represents in some cultures.
We’ll tell you everything you need to know about ostrich eggs so you can decide if you want to eat them or not.
Have you ever thought about how many chicken eggs it would take to make one ostrich egg the same size and nutritional value? Ostrich eggs weigh about 3 pounds each, which is much bigger than the chicken eggs most of us use for baking or making omelets in the morning.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the size, nutritional value, and taste differences between chicken and ostrich eggs. We’ll also answer some common questions about how to source, cook, and store ostrich eggs. By the end, you’ll have a clear understanding of just how many standard chicken eggs fit inside one ostrich egg!
A Massive Size Difference
To start with the obvious, ostrich eggs are huge compared to chicken eggs.
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The average chicken egg weighs around 50 grams and has a volume of 50 mL.
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In contrast, an ostrich egg weighs a whopping 1. 4 kg (3 lbs) and comes in a range of 1,500 to 2,000 mL sizes.
To put it simply, it takes approximately 24-28 chicken eggs to equal the volume of a single ostrich egg. The exact number can vary a bit based on the size and grade of the chicken eggs, but that equivalency provides a helpful rule of thumb.
Think about how big an omelet made with an ostrich egg would be! It would be enough to feed a lot of people.
Nutritional Content
Besides being different sizes, ostrich and chicken eggs also have different amounts of nutrients. However, they do have a lot of the same things.
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Both are excellent sources of protein. Ostrich eggs simply contain way more in a single serving.
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Both contain essential vitamins like A, D, E and minerals like iron, zinc, and calcium. However, ostrich eggs contain them in greater quantities.
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The main nutritional difference is that ostrich eggs have substantially more cholesterol per gram compared to chicken eggs. However, ostrich eggs also have higher levels of certain beneficial micronutrients.
So while ostrich eggs are not necessarily “healthier” overall, their nutritional makeup is unique.
Taste and Culinary Uses
What about the taste? Ostrich eggs are described as having a richer, almost buttery flavor compared to chicken eggs. The texture is similar, though the large volume provides a very different experience when fried or scrambled.
Due to their size, ostrich eggs can be used creatively:
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They work well for feeding large groups, especially when hard boiled and sliced for deviled eggs.
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They can be featured as a statement ingredient in giant omelets or quiches.
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Bakers can utilize the abundant yolk and whites to make massive cakes or batches of cookies or ice cream.
So while challenging to cook, ostrich eggs provide opportunities for culinary experimentation and novelty.
Sourcing, Cooking, and Storage Tips
Ostrich eggs can be tricky to source and require some special care:
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They can cost $30-$100 per egg since ostriches are rare and expensive to raise.
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Look for ostrich eggs at specialty grocers, directly from breeders, or online.
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Handle the thick, durable shells with care and crack gently with a hammer.
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Cook slowly at lower heats to prevent overcooking and dryness.
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Store raw eggs in the fridge just like chicken eggs for 2-6 weeks.
With their impressive size and nutritional offerings, ostrich eggs are definitely a unique ingredient to try. Just remember it takes about 24-28 chicken eggs to equal one ostrich egg. Give one a crack if you get the chance!
WHAT ELSE CAN YOU DO WITH OSTRICH EGGS?
While eating ostrich eggs is perfectly fine, we dont sell edible ostrich eggs. It’s not that we don’t think they’re tasty or good for you; it’s just that getting them to customers would cost too much, and most people wouldn’t want to pay that much.
Fortunately, there are lots of things you can do with ostrich eggs. For example, empty ostrich eggs that can be used for arts and crafts. They are sold in various sizes and can be painted or repurposed for bigger projects.
Look around online for inspiration. People paint globes, animals, and cool patterns on ostrich eggshells all the time. These can really make a room stand out.
Dont worry; ostrich shells come sterilized. The eggs chosen to be sold as empty ostrich eggs were also infertile, so theres no reason to think an ostrich had to die for you to do a fun art project.
In some cultures ostrich eggs have been used for fertility treatment, to ward off bad spirits, and to promote livestock productivity. In ancient times, ostrich eggs were seen as symbols of prosperity, truth, life, and rebirth.
HOW DO YOU COOK OSTRICH EGGS?
You can cook an ostrich egg the same way youd cook chicken eggs. There are plenty of ostrich recipes out there for you to choose from. Youll obviously need a larger cooking apparatus, but its pretty much the same process.
Boiling an ostrich egg is common for people that have never cooked them before. It takes about 60 minutes to soft-boil and 90 minutes or more to hard-boil, depending on size.
Fried or scrambled ostrich eggs are also common methods. Line your pan with non-stick spray or olive oil, then cook for 20 to 30 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and add cheese if you like. Scrambling is probably the easiest method out there.
You could attempt to make an omelet—but youll probably need a very large skillet. Even then, you most likely wont be able to get it thin enough to flip or fold over. Maybe try making a few “smaller” (relatively speaking) omelets instead.
If you like your eggs slightly runny, thats fine, too. You dont need to overcook the egg for fear of bacteria or anything else!.
Why don’t people eat ostrich eggs?
FAQ
How many chicken eggs to 1 ostrich egg?
The ostrich egg is equivalent to 24 chicken eggs and the emu egg equivalent to 12 chicken eggs. Both took around 5 minutes to break open. Check out ‘The Grill Sisters Guide To Legendary BBQ’.
Do ostrich eggs taste like regular chicken eggs?
They taste almost identical to chicken eggs, albeit with a bit of a saltier tang to them. Got one passing by an ostrich farm on a road trip through New Mexico. Makes a monstrous serving but they are absolutely delicious with some pepper and a side of potatoes.
How many chicken eggs equal one duck egg?
Generally, one duck egg is roughly equivalent to two chicken eggs, according to multiple sources, though some sources suggest a ratio of 2 duck eggs equaling 3 chicken eggs.
How much do ostrich eggs cost?
Ostrich eggs are about twice the volume of an emu egg, and have a white shell; you can buy one online right now at prices ranging from fifty dollars to $299. 99.
How many chicken eggs are in an ostrich egg?
An Ostrich Egg is ~1 Litre, so 1. 5 Ostrich Eggs. An Ostrich Egg is ~24 Chicken Eggs, so 36 Chicken Eggs if you mash them into a Pulp after boiling. There are about 144 Quail Eggs needed because one Quail Egg is about 1/4 of a Chicken Egg.
How big are ostrich eggs?
Ostrich eggs are the largest eggs of any living bird species. Ostrich eggs are 6 inches long and can weigh up to 3 pounds. However, they can vary somewhat, with some ostrich eggs being slightly smaller or larger than the average. Ostrich eggs are known for their considerable size and are quite distinct from other bird species.
How many calories are in a ostrich egg?
They are also essential ingredients in baked goods. One ostrich egg contains about 2,000 calories which are more than the total calories in 24 chicken eggs. It also has 45% fat and 24% protein, which is a lot more than what a chicken egg has.