QUAIL EGGS
Quails are mid-sized, short-tailed birds that belong to the pheasant and partridge species (Phasianidae and Odontophoridae, order Galliformes).
Australia has ten native species of quails. At Martelli Orchards, we breed and raise two native species of quail, the King Quail and the Coturnix Quail.
The Coturnix quail is the best breed to raise for eggs. Quail eggs are considered a delicacy in some parts of the world including Asia, Europe, and North America. In other countries like Latin America, quail eggs are considered common and inexpensive.
While chicken remains Australia’s most popular egg, quail eggs are rapidly gaining traction.
Quail eggs taste similar to chicken eggs but are small – typically just one-third of the size of a standard chicken egg. They have cream-coloured shells with brown splotches and deep yellow yokes.
For their size, they are packed with protein, vitamins, and minerals. according to the USD Agriculture and other literature
There is a common misconception that these eggs taste different than chicken or duck eggs and/or gamey in flavour. All three eggs have very similar tastes depending upon how they are raised and what they eat.
Quail eggs are lighter in flavour than duck eggs and creamier in composition than chicken eggs, to sum it up. Quail eggs have a high yolk-to-egg white ratio. This means the eggs come out much thicker and creamier when used for cooking or baking.
There are so many wonderful ways to use quail eggs in all sorts of appetisers and meals! Here are some tips, tricks and meal ideas for you to try out.
Quail eggs require less time to cook as they are smaller and a bit more fragile.
Cracking Quail Eggs:
Don’t try cracking quail eggs on the side of a bowl, like you would chicken eggs — this is because the membrane underneath the shell is thicker! Instead, crack your quail eggs with a paring knife or serrated knife. You can also use a special quail egg tool – seriously this exists.
Boiling Quail Eggs:
Like any egg variety, you should always bring the egg to room temperature before being boiled. This prevents the egg from cracking or bursting during the boiling process.
Approximate boil times though may vary depending on your stovetop.
Soft – 2-minutes
Medium – 3 minutes
Hard – 3 ½ minutes
Once boiled, place the eggs in cold water or ice water to stop the cooking process and this will also make it easy to peel the eggs.
Meal Ideas
You can use quail eggs anytime you would use chicken eggs, whether you’re frying, scrambling, poaching, boiling, or baking.
Quail eggs can be used interchangeably: 3 to 1 standard chicken eggs.
Try these creative and delicious meal ideas to spice up your usual routine. Here are a few links to recipes, or you can search for thousands on the world wide web!
