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What Is Ostrich Egg? What Does Ostrich Egg Taste Like?

When you think of an egg, chances are you picture a carton of palm-sized chicken eggs stored in a carton. It’s no secret that eggs come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors, but no egg is larger than an ostrich egg! 

The average ostrich egg weighs in at around 20 times the weight of a chicken egg. Additionally, one ostrich egg contains nearly 2 pounds of protein, making an ostrich egg’s protein content equivalent to 2 dozen eggs. 

While this is certainly too much egg for a single person, when shared with a large group of friends and family, ostrich eggs offer a unique exotic experience you’ll never forget. 

If you manage to find an Ostrich Farm selling whole eggs, don’t be afraid to give an egg a try!

If you’re trying to learn about ostrich eggs before buying and cooking your own, then you’ve come to the right place!

In this article, you’ll find everything you need to know about ostrich eggs, including how to cook ostrich eggs and some incredible recipes that will have you craving this rare egg!

Get ready for some egg-cellent facts about ostrich eggs!

What Is Ostrich Egg?

 Ostrich Egg

Ostrich eggs are native to Africa and are the largest eggs produced by any bird.

These incredible eggs weigh in at 15 centimeters long, 13 centimeters wide, and 3.1 pounds. 

Ostrich eggs are known for their extremely tough shell that can only be opened with a hammer and chisel, contributing to their rarity on kitchen tables.

More commonly, ostrich eggs are used to create gorgeous patterned artwork and unique storage containers. 

You can easily identify ostrich eggs by their size and distinct appearance. The average ostrich egg is large, with a thick and glossy tan, cream, or white shell. 

A single ostrich egg contains the same amount of protein and nutrients as 2 dozen eggs and nearly 2,000 calories!

Different Types Of Ostrich Egg 

 Ostrich Egg

While there may be several sub-species of ostrich, there is only one type of ostrich egg!

Like chickens, ostriches are farmed throughout the world. However, unlike chickens, ostriches’ less industrialized style of farming has caused little change to occur to the birds’ eggs. 

The egg you receive from an ostrich farmer is the same as an ostrich egg you would find in the wild!

Do Ostrich Egg Have Tastier Eggs?

 Ostrich Egg

People trying an ostrich egg for the first time are often shocked to discover that it tastes very similar to a chicken egg.

The only notable difference between an ostrich egg and a chicken egg is that ostrich eggs have been described as “slightly sweeter” than the more traditional egg type. 

Ostrich eggs’ nearly identical flavor to chicken eggs means that in most dishes, the egg is indistinguishable from other varieties in all respects except size. 

When consuming an exotic food like an ostrich egg, the taste is less important than the rareness of the ingredient and how difficult it is to prepare.  

What Texture Does Ostrich Egg Have?

 Ostrich Egg

Ostrich eggs are said to have a near identical texture to chicken eggs. The only difference between the two is that ostrich eggs have a slightly fluffier texture once cooked. 

Thanks to their similar textures, the means of cooking can affect the texture of a cooked ostrich egg just like a chicken egg. 

For example, a hard-boiled ostrich egg will have a rubbery texture with a velvety yolk, while a soft-boiled egg will have a creamy white and a pudding-like yolk. 

Additionally, fried and scrambled ostrich egg is almost identical to the texture of fried and scrambled chicken eggs. They’re fluffy when scrambled and runny with a thin crispy edge when fried. 

Is Ostrich Egg Healthy?

 Ostrich Egg

Like any other egg, ostrich eggs are an extremely healthy option when eaten in moderation! 

Ostrich eggs contain more magnesium and iron than your traditional chicken egg but less vitamin E and A. Additionally, the yolk is high in triglycerides and phospholipids that aid in digestion and help regulate your metabolism.

They are also packed with vitamins, minerals, and macronutrients like protein! 

Unlike chickens, ostriches are raised in environments free from steroids, hormones, and antibiotics, making their eggs healthier than traditional options.

As ostrich eggs contain over 2,000 calories, it is important to be mindful of how much you eat in one serving. The average person should only eat 1 cup of ostrich egg. 

How Do You Eat An Ostrich Egg?

If you have a large enough cooking space, ostrich eggs can be eaten the same way you would consume a chicken egg. 

Ostrich eggs can be fried, scrambled, poached, hard-boiled, soft-boiled, and even made into an enormous omelet!

Keep in mind that at most exotic restaurants, ostrich eggs are served hard or soft boiled, as this is the easiest way to prepare the giant egg. 

Like any other egg, ensure that the whites of an ostrich egg are thoroughly cooked before consuming. 

How To Choose Ostrich Egg In The Grocery Store 

Ostrich eggs are not available at your typical grocery store. 

To find this egg, you’re going to have to visit a food store or restaurant that specializes in exotic foods. You can also get in contact with an ostrich farm and see if they would be willing to sell you a whole ostrich egg. 

Due to the difficulties of transporting ostrich eggs, most ostrich farms only offer empty ostrich egg shells for customers to purchase. However, some farms specialize in providing edible ostrich eggs. 

Be aware that ostrich eggs are pricey. A single ostrich egg typically costs around $30 before shipping costs are added. 

How To Store Ostrich Egg

Once cooked, ostrich eggs should be consumed immediately as they can spoil within a few days.

However, uncooked ostrich eggs can be preserved for weeks or even months if stored properly. 

Thanks to their thick shell, it takes a lot to spoil an uncooked ostrich egg. Unrefrigerated eggs can be safely stored at room temperature for weeks, while refrigerated eggs can last for months!

You can even freeze an uncooked ostrich egg by cracking it into a sealed container and storing it in the freezer! 

How To Prepare Ostrich Egg

Due to their large size and thick shell, preparing an ostrich egg is the most difficult part of consuming them. 

First, you must use a hammer and chisel to break the egg’s tough shell. Once cracked, you’re going to need a giant skillet or cooktop to handle the egg’s giant size. 

From here, an ostrich egg can be cooked in the same way you would prepare a chicken egg. 

However, get ready for a long wait, as an ostrich egg takes 60 minutes to soft-boil, 90 minutes to hard boil, 20 minutes to fry, and 30 minutes to scramble. 

Nutritional Value Table: Ostrich Egg 

Nutrients Ostrich Egg
Serving size1 egg
Calories2000 calories
Carbohydrates10g
Protein176g
Fat 133g
Vitamin A151%
Sodium1988mg
Calcium78%

*This table refers to hardboiled Ostrich Egg. 

Quick Table: 3 Ostrich Egg Recipes

Recipe Calories Per ServingPreparation Time
South African Style Ostrich Egg Omelette200020 min
Bacon, Cheese & Potato Ostrich Egg Fritatta24930  min
Ostrich Egg and Abalone Custard with African Caviar
300 2  hour

Now that you’re an ostrich egg expert, it’s time to put your new knowledge to the test with some insanely delicious ostrich egg recipes. 

We promise these unique recipes will have you craving ostrich egg!

1. South African Style Ostrich Egg Omelette

Considered a South African hangover cure, this enormous omelette is sure to satisfy! Just make sure you’ve got a group of friends and family willing to eat it with you!

Made with an entire ostrich egg and plenty of peppers and onions, we’re confident that this unique omelette will hit the spot!

Besides treating hangovers, this omelette’s large size makes it a wonderful dish for any breakfast or brunch with a lot of guests. Seriously, this omelette can feed at least twenty people. 

Serve alongside bacon and homefries for an exotic spin on a breakfast classic

Calories Per Serving: 2000

Preparation Time: 20 min

2. Bacon, Cheese & Potato Ostrich Egg Fritatta

This terrific frittata recipe takes away the hassle of preparing an ostrich egg by baking it in a large dish with other tasty ingredients.

Combine scrambled ostrich egg with bacon, potato, and cheese for a deliciously savory breakfast

Given ostrich eggs’ enormous size, this frittata is perfect for brunch parties as it can feed at least twenty people!

Don’t be afraid to make this recipe your own! Consider swapping bacon for sausage or potatoes for broccoli to switch things up and play around with different flavors. 

When it comes to Fritatta, the possibilities are endless! 

Calories Per Serving: 249

Preparation Time: 30 min

RELATED: Do Eggs Belong In The Dairy Section? 6 Reasons Why

3. Ostrich Egg And Abalone Custard With African Caviar

Perfect for foodies looking to experiment with ostrich eggs’ exotic flavor, this ostrich egg and abalone custard with African caviar is sure to impress any foodie. 

With a rich, creamy custard filling steamed to perfection, this ostrich egg custard is seriously indulgent. Combined with abalone garum and caviar, the ostrich egg’s flavor pairs beautifully with these salty components. 

Serve the custard in a sanitized egg shell for the ultimate plating presentation and dig in!

This elegant ostrich egg recipe can serve up to four people, making it an impressive dish for dinner parties.  

Calories Per Serving: 300

Preparation Time: 2 hour

Frequently Asked Questions 

How Much Does Ostrich Egg Cost?

Compared to chicken eggs, ostrich eggs are much more expensive. 

A single ostrich egg can cost you $30 before shipping. 

This extreme price difference can be attributed to the rarity of ostrich farming and how difficult it is to prepare ostrich eggs. 

Why Do We Not Eat Ostrich Egg?

Although ostrich eggs are safe to eat and are actually quite tasty, it’s almost impossible to find the eggs in stores, and few people have ever tried them. 

The main reason why people do not eat ostrich eggs is because of how hard they are to prepare. 

To crack open an ostrich egg, you need a hammer and chisel, and to cook an ostrich egg you need cooking appliances much larger than those in a standard home kitchen. 

Due to this, few ostrich farms even offer whole ostrich eggs for purchase, as they know how impractical they are to prepare. 

Is Ostrich Egg Good To Eat?

Ostrich eggs are totally delicious and safe to eat! 

The flavor of ostrich eggs is nearly identical to that of chicken eggs, making them easy to incorporate in most traditionally egg-based dishes. 

Additionally, these giant eggs are packed with essential vitamins and nutrients, making them a healthy choice when eaten in moderation. 

As long as they are cooked properly, ostrich eggs are great to eat!

How Many Eggs Is One Ostrich Egg?

One ostrich egg is about 20 times the size of your average chicken egg. 

A single ostrich egg contains the same amount of protein as two dozen chicken eggs!

Is Ostrich Egg Healthier Than Chicken Egg?

The health benefits of ostrich eggs is nearly identical to chicken eggs. 

You can expect to consume the same vitamins and minerals from an ostrich egg that you would from a chicken egg. The only difference is that ostrich eggs are larger, so a higher amount of nutrients can be found in a single egg. 

Can You Buy An Ostrich Egg?

Yes, you can buy ostrich eggs! 

However, to purchase an ostrich egg, you need to find an ostrich farm willing to sell you a whole egg. 

Most farms only offer empty ostrich egg shells for purchase, but some will ship you an entire ostrich egg!

What Is Ostrich Egg? What Does Ostrich Egg Taste Like?

What does ostrich egg taste like” is a common question we often come face to face. Learn about the taste and texture of ostrich eggs.

Directions

  • Pick a recipe from the list above
  • Click the recipe name and visit the website
  • Collect the ingredients and cook the food
  • Enjoy – don’t forget to leave a review

Recipe Video

Jess Smith
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