An Honest Discussion About Duck Eggs

Ducks on Parade

When Meg was young, we allowed her to raise a pair of ducks for the 4H fair.    In those days, it was illegal to sell small quantities of ducks at feed stores in our state (Massachusetts at the time), so I “met a guy in a parking lot” for the tradeoff.  I still laugh as I recall peeking around nervously while we made our deal:  a few dollars for a box containing 2 tiny ducklings.

Ducks have waddled in and out of our lives several times.  At Love Led Farm our egg business was booming and Arya needed a way of earning a few extra dollars.  I decided to reintroduce ducks into my plan.  A bit of income for a granddaughter, a farm clean-up team for me, an alternative type of eggs for my customers–a big win for everybody.

  Arya and the Duck

Now what about you?  Why would you even consider buying duck eggs vs. chicken eggs, especially when they are more expensive?  And don’t they taste “funny?”

As it turns out, there are several good reasons to consider the switch.  A difference in their protein structure means that folks who are allergic to chicken eggs can sometimes eat duck eggs.  Duck eggs are higher in many vital nutrients and as I will discuss in a minute, avid bakers treasure them.  Another bonus:  because their shells are thicker, duck eggs will stay fresh longer.

Interested in more detailed information?  Check out this duck/chicken egg comparison published by Mother Earth News a few years ago:  https://www.motherearthnews.com/real-food/the-proscons-of-eating-duck-eggs-vs-chicken-eggs-zbcz1705

Here are some of my own observations.

Size

When compared side by side, the difference in the two is obvious.  Although some duck eggs are the same size as a jumbo chicken egg, many are at least 1/3 bigger.

Duck or chicken egg? It’s pretty easy to tell.

Cooking

With lower water content, duck eggs can become rubbery if they are fried too long or are hard-boiled.   I often scramble ours with no appreciable difference.  For David, who likes his sunny side up, I just add a bit of water and cover them with a lid.  I have read that duck eggs are great for poaching because they won’t fall apart.

A double-yoke duck egg vs. a chicken egg

Baking with duck eggs is ideal.  In fact, bakery chefs prefer them.   To substitute for chicken eggs, use the smallest duck eggs you have.  That way you can use the same number of eggs as called for in your recipe.  Because a duck egg has more albumen than a chicken egg, you will find that your baked goods have more lift and structure–they will be lighter and fluffier.  And, you will notice a richness that no chicken egg can match.

When using larger eggs, remember that your duck egg is easily 1/3 larger than a chicken egg.  So it’s time for some mental math.  If a cake recipe requires three to six chicken eggs, use two or four duck eggs.  I have also found that it helps to add a little extra liquid as your recipe may seem a bit drier.

Beating duck egg whites will take longer because the gel is thicker.  But patience wins–it can be done.  Try bringing the whites to room temperature before beating.

Taste

Ducks thrive on protein.  Ours wander everywhere. They eat grass and weeds as they search for delicious bugs and critters that live in the soil.  This can alter the taste of their egg.  However, our ducks are supplemented with a daily portion of the same gmo-free feed that our chickens eat. This seems to balance the flavor.  We really don’t notice much difference between their eggs and our chickens’.

One other bonus:  due to that famous high protein, we stay full longer on fewer eggs.  Whether scrambled, in french toast, in a frittata or quiche, duck eggs are delicious!

Cholesterol

There is one important factor to consider before plunging into your first dozen duck eggs.  They are significantly higher  in cholesterol than chicken eggs–2 to 3 times higher than the recommended daily allowance.  This is something you will want to discuss with your health care provider.  If you are on a low cholesterol diet, you may want to limit your consumption of duck eggs.

Freshly rinsed duck eggs because ducks love to bury them in the dirt.

Are you curious but not ready for a full dozen?  Try a duck egg half pak.  We now stock them in our convenient Customer Fridge.

Gmo-free duck eggs and chicken eggs are just two of the many fine products that we have available for you on Love Led Farm.  We specialize in pure, honest food for you and your family.  Hope to see you soon!

Warmly,