Ostrich eggs are considered a delicacy, unusual for Russians. However, demand for this product has recently increased dramatically. Ostrich eggs are considered a healthier alternative to chicken eggs. So, what explains their popularity, what is their nutritional value and calorie content, what health benefits do they offer, how to cook them, and much more—read on.
| Object | Weight (g) | Size (cm) | Shell color |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ostrich egg | 1200-2000 | 13×16 | Pearl white, cream |
| Rhea egg | 600-900 | 10×13 | Yellow |
| Emu egg | 500-700 | 9×12 | Green |
Weight, size and color of eggs
Eggs vary in shape, size, weight, shell structure, and porosity. An ostrich egg is oval, with a glossy, porcelain-like shell and hundreds of pores. It is distinguished by its enormous size, measuring 13 by 16 cm. A single egg can weigh up to 1,200-2,000 g, equivalent to 24 chicken eggs.
The shell can be pearly white or cream-colored. However, exotic-colored eggs are also common, depending on the breed of ostrich. For example, the rhea lays yellow eggs, the white-gray ostrich lays yellow-pink eggs, and the emu lays green eggs.
Only unfertilized eggs obtained from young females are used for food!
Nutritional characteristics and vitamin and mineral composition
The composition of ostrich eggs is virtually identical to that of other birds. Lipid and protein content are similar to those of chicken eggs, but the calorie content is low, at only 118 kcal per 100 g.
Due to its enormous size, a single egg is a veritable treasure trove of nutrients. It contains:
- vitamin A - 19.5 mcg/g;
- carotenoids - 36.6 µg/g;
- vitamin E - 116.5 mcg/g.
The product also contains:
- iron;
- zinc;
- selenium;
- magnesium;
- calcium;
- manganese;
- phosphorus.
Moreover, ostrich eggs surpass chicken eggs in lysine, threonine, and amino acid content. However, they are completely free of sodium.
Nutritional value
Content of proteins, fats and carbohydrates per 100 g of product:
| Proteins (g) | Fats (g) | Carbohydrates (g) | Ash (g) | Water (g) |
| 12.5 | 11.8 | 0.7 | 1 | 74 |
Beneficial and harmful properties
The health benefits of ostrich eggs stem from their vitamin and mineral composition and ideal protein, fat, and carbohydrate (BJU) ratio. Overall, the product has the following beneficial effects on the body:
- strengthens the cardiovascular system;
- improves vision;
- promotes muscle growth;
- improves the general condition of hair, nails and skin.
The dangers of eating ostrich eggs
In addition to its beneficial properties, consuming this delicacy also carries certain dangers:
- People who are allergic to chicken eggs should avoid eating the ostrich equivalent, as they are more likely to have an allergic reaction to this product as well;
- It is recommended to consume eggs in limited quantities due to their high fat content; introducing ostrich eggs into the daily diet can lead to vascular occlusion;
- prohibited for use by people with individual intolerance to eggs;
- There is a risk of salmonella infection, as ostriches are susceptible to this disease. It is recommended to heat-treat the product to eliminate the risk of infection.
If the birds are kept in accordance with all the rules and sanitary standards, then infection of ostriches with salmonella is impossible.
How to choose an egg and evaluate its freshness?
Since ostrich eggs are expensive, it's important to know how to choose them wisely and evaluate their freshness. When purchasing, consider the following:
- It is recommended to purchase the product from specialized farms, and it would be a good idea to request product certificates from the owner.
- Females lay eggs from April to November, which is worth considering when purchasing, as eggs purchased in mid-winter or early spring will definitely be of poor quality.
- It is not recommended to buy eggs with traces of bird excrement or broken shells.
- You can check whether a product is fresh by shaking it slightly - there should be no sloshing sounds, as aging of the product causes the release of liquid and an increase in the depth of the air chamber.
- Another way to test is to dip an egg in brine. A fresh egg will sink to the bottom of the container.
- ✓ No unpleasant odor when opening the egg.
- ✓ The yolk should be firm and not spread when broken.
- ✓ The protein should be transparent, without cloudiness.
How to cook an ostrich egg?
Buying an "overseas bird" egg is only half the battle. But cracking and cooking it also requires specialized knowledge.
How to properly crack an ostrich egg?
There are several ways:
- Find the blunt side of the egg and place a knife with a pointed tip in the center. Tap it lightly with a hammer to mark a hole. Use the knife to widen the hole until a straw can be inserted. Insert the straw and move it up and down to break the shell. Turn the egg over a bowl, opening down, and blow into the straw. The contents, forced out by the air entering the shell, will spill into the bowl.
- Place the egg on its side in a plate for stability. Using a drill, support the egg with one hand and make a hole near the top. Once the hole is large enough, insert a long wooden stick into it and stir the contents. Pour the contents into a container.
- Tap the center of the blunt side with the handle of a knife. When a crack appears, begin breaking off pieces of the shell until you have a hole large enough to remove the contents.
- If you want to keep the yolk intact, make a wide hole. Using a small saw, file the top of the egg around the circumference. Carefully remove the top of the shell and break open the membrane. Pour the contents, including the intact yolk, into a container.
The following video clearly demonstrates how to crack an ostrich egg:
How to separate the white from the yolk?
If you need to separate the white from the yolk, you need to break the egg into two halves. However, this isn't as easy as with a chicken egg. Using a hammer, make small indentations along the equatorial circle, then use a knife to cut the shell along the marked line.
A serrated electric knife, which can handle thick shells, is ideal for these purposes.
Cooking options
Ostrich eggs are used in cooking in the same way as chicken eggs. They taste slightly sweeter than their chicken counterparts. They are best used in applications where large quantities are needed, such as chicken eggs. For example, they are used to make meringues, sponge cakes, and custards.
- • To ensure even cooking of the omelette, it is recommended to stir the contents of the pan periodically, given the large volume of the egg.
- • When hard-boiling eggs, adding salt to the water will help prevent the shells from cracking.
They are used to make omelettes and scrambled eggs, and boiled ostrich eggs are added to salads, fillings, or simply sliced onto a sandwich.
To get a soft-boiled egg, it is boiled for about 45 minutes, and to cook a hard-boiled egg, it is boiled for about 60 minutes!
Portuguese ostrich egg omelette recipe
To prepare this delicious dish you will need:
- ostrich egg - 1 pc.;
- tomatoes - 5 pcs.;
- young zucchini - 2 pcs. (small);
- grated cheese - 100 g;
- vegetable oil for frying;
- tomato sauce, spices, herbs - to taste.
Preparation:
- Beat the egg and pour it into a preheated large frying pan;
- Fry the product, periodically lifting the edges;
- Chop the tomatoes and zucchini and fry them in another pan with vegetable oil;
- Place vegetables on the egg and roll up;
- Sprinkle with cheese, herbs and spices to taste, you can also add tomato paste.
The dish is ready.
In some European countries, ostrich eggs are prepared for Easter in the following way: the shells are broken open, the contents are mixed, and the eggs are baked in the oven for half an hour.
How to store?
The optimal storage temperature for ostrich eggs is 0 to +8°C. An undamaged egg can be stored at this temperature for three months without losing its beneficial properties.
- × Storing ostrich eggs at temperatures above +8°C significantly reduces their shelf life and increases the risk of pathogenic microorganisms developing.
- × Do not store eggs near foods with a strong odor, as the shell is highly porous and can absorb foreign odors.
If the contents were removed but not used immediately, the remaining contents can be refrigerated. The product can be stored in this form for 2-3 days. But no longer!
Where to buy?
Today, buying ostrich eggs is commonplace. They can be purchased at specialty stores, at farms, or ordered online. Here are a few places to buy good-quality ostrich eggs:
- Private farms specializing in ostrich breeding are the best place to buy. For example, the "Russian Ostrich" farm, located in the Moscow region, is one of the largest ostrich farms today. You can view the farm's product range on its website; they offer table eggs, empty shells, and decorated shells. For delivery information, please call the phone numbers listed on the website.
- Equally well-known among ostrich delicacy enthusiasts is the "Straussland" farm, which delivers table ostrich eggs throughout Moscow and the Moscow region. It also offers a variety of natural products for sale and offers tours of the ostrich ranch.
- Grocery stores. Not many grocery stores sell ostrich eggs, but there are a few places where you can find them. For example, the supermarket chain "Azbuka Vkusa" not only sells eggs but also delivers throughout Moscow and the Moscow region and is a trusted supplier.
The average cost of an ostrich egg ranges from 800 to 2000 rubles, depending on its weight.
How to use the shell?
Although the ostrich eggshell is thin, only 2-5 mm, it can withstand a load of about 120 kg; it is an extremely strong and durable material that can be used for a variety of purposes.
Thus, the use of eggshells to make unusual souvenirs is due to their durability and beauty. They are used as the basis for exquisite carved boxes and interior decorations, while the empty shell, blown out but retaining its egg shape, is used as a souvenir in its own right or decorated with painting or intricate designs.
A new art form, though not very widespread, has recently emerged: eggshell carving, using only ostrich eggs. Artists create lace and openwork patterns, and sometimes even complete paintings.
But in the desert, the shell is a valuable find, as it is used as cutlery, because such a “bowl” can hold up to a liter of liquid.
Since the shell is rich in calcium, it is used as a fertilizer or food supplement, after being crushed.
Interesting facts
Here are some interesting facts about ostrich eggs:
- Ostrich eggs are the largest in the world, the largest egg was discovered in China, its weight was more than 2 kg, and the diameter was 18.6 cm;
- a female ostrich is capable of laying 40-80 eggs in one season;
- one egg can be used to make an omelet and feed 10 people;
- Males incubate eggs at night, and females do so during the day;
- Recently it has become popular to dye ostrich eggs for Easter; they make interesting and unusual "dyed eggs";
- Ostriches can incubate up to 25 eggs at a time in one nest;
- For comparison, the thickness of a chicken egg shell is only 0.3-0.4 mm, a goose egg shell is 0.55 mm, and ostrich eggs are also the record holders here with a shell thickness of 2-2.55 mm.
Ostrich Egg Reviews
There are a huge number of reviews about ostrich eggs; some people like them, others don't, but there's no accounting for taste.
Ostrich eggs are considered healthier than chicken eggs. They're lower in calories and rich in various vitamins and minerals. However, this product is an acquired taste, as it has a distinctive smell and flavor. Some people don't like them, while others are crazy about them. It's worth trying this delicacy, if only to determine which category you fall into!