Not everyone you know can say they've eaten (or even seen) ostrich eggs before.
But many also don't know: can you eat ostrich eggs?
Ostrich meat and eggs are exotic in American culture. But that doesn't mean you can't easily order an ostrich egg online to cook and eat right at home. (Heck, some gourmet restaurants serve them on the menu, too.)
The key to cooking and eating ostrich eggs is to know what you're 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.
In this article, we'll talk all about ostrich eggs so you can make a choice whether you want to eat them or not!
CAN YOU EAT OSTRICH EGGS?
Yes, you can. In fact, there are health benefits available to people who make ostrich eggs a part of their diet. (See the next section.)
Ostrich eggs are the largest of all eggs. Ostrich are native to Africa, but small populations can be found in places like Australia as well. Small, sustainable farms exist all over the world.
Most people who try ostrich eggs for the first time wind up pleasantly surprised. They taste and look similar to chicken eggs, except they are much larger in size.
You might be surprised to learn that ostrich meat tastes pretty great, too. While ostriches are birds, their meat tastes a lot like filet mignon. It digests easily and cooks well on the grill, just like a piece of steak does.
Ostrich eggs offer many of the same advantages regular eggs do. They contain vitamins, minerals, and macronutrients like protein that are good for you.
HEALTH BENEFITS OF OSTRICH EGGS
Ostrich eggs offer many of the same benefits as chicken eggs. This is good, seeing as many health experts consider eggs to be one of the healthiest foods on the planet.
- Lots of protein (176g per egg)
- Vitamin A
- Calcium
- Iron
- Magnesium
- Potassium
Eggs also contain natural bioactive compounds that help promote human health and ward off disease. The yolk especially is home to several different active ingredients like triglycerides and phospholipids that promote digestion and regulate your metabolism.
HOW MUCH FOOD IS ONE OSTRICH EGG?
To understand just how big an ostrich egg is, let's compare it to a chicken egg.
A jumbo egg is about 70 grams, while ostrich eggs are about 1400 grams on average. Therefore, roughly 20 chicken eggs equal one ostrich egg.
When you break down the cost of an ostrich egg, it's still more expensive than traditional eggs. But keep in mind it's an exotic animal, and things like shipping costs have to be factored in.
Like other eggs, ostrich eggs can spoil. So you'd either need a group of hungry adventurous people to join you or a serious appetite to eat that much in one sitting.
HOW DO YOU COOK OSTRICH EGGS?
You can cook an ostrich egg the same way you'd cook chicken eggs. There are plenty of ostrich recipes out there for you to choose from. You'll obviously need a larger cooking apparatus, but it's 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 you'll probably need a very large skillet. Even then, you most likely won't 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, that's fine, too. You don't need to overcook the egg for fear of bacteria or anything else!
WHAT ELSE CAN YOU DO WITH OSTRICH EGGS?
While eating ostrich eggs is perfectly fine, we don't sell edible ostrich eggs. Not because we don't think they're delicious or nutritious, mainly because it would cost too much to get them to consumers, and people likely 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. Many people use ostrich eggshells to paint globes, animals, and cool patterns that can really help a room stand out.
Don't worry; ostrich shells come sterilized. The eggs chosen to be sold as empty ostrich eggs were also infertile, so there's 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.
READY TO TRY OSTRICH EGGS YET?
The answer to "Can you eat ostrich eggs?" is clear. Yes, and there are many benefits to doing so.
Ostrich eggs are loaded with healthy micronutrients and macronutrients that make them a great choice for your health. They also taste similar to eggs and could make a group cooking get-together fun and adventurous!
Ready to buy ostrich eggshells? Check out our offerings and find the right product for you.
