19/06/2023
15 Facts You Need To Know About Eating Quail Eggs
You may have seen quail's eggs in your local grocery store or at the farmers' market. You may even have marveled over how delicate and tiny they look, like eggs meant for a doll's tea party, with a speckled exterior that's reminiscent of the Robin Egg candy that used to be a staple in children's Easter baskets. If you've passed them over because you wonder how they might taste or what to do with such small eggs, then wonder no longer.
Quail eggs are often associated with luxury, but don't let that scare you away. Sure, they're rich and decadent but think of them like butter. In other words, you can use them in your everyday cooking just as easily as you can use them in more elegant dishes. From breakfast favorites to ramen noodles, there's a dish that's already in your repertoire that could benefit from the addition (or substitution) of quail eggs.
Quail eggs are richer than chicken eggs
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The taste of quail eggs is similar to chicken eggs, so if you're already an egg lover, you'll like them just fine. The biggest difference is that quail eggs have a richer and creamier taste and texture. The reason for all the richness is the fact that quail's eggs have a much higher yolk-to-white ratio. If you look at a fried quail egg, you'll notice the big, golden yolk center, with just a small rim of white around it.
The high yolk ratio is part of what makes a quail egg so wonderful for cooking and eating. While egg whites are great for certain things, like adding volume and lightness to baked goods, the yolk is where all the flavor of the egg resides. Some bakers like to add an extra egg yolk to cake batters just for the extra richness it brings. With quail eggs, the extra richness is built right in because it's mostly yolk.
They're nutritionally dense
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Considering how small they are, quail eggs contain an impressive array of nutrients. There's a lot packed inside each little shell. Each quail egg contains part of the recommended daily allowance of choline, folate, vitamin A, and iron, and they contain as much as 6% of the recommended daily allowance of Vitamin B12 and riboflavin. There's also a full gram of protein in each egg, close to the same amount of protein as a cube of tofu, but a whole lot tastier.
Dieters should appreciate that a quail egg only has 14 calories, so they're a great way to get a bite of something rich-tasting without going overboard. The downside: The high yolk ratio means that quail eggs are high in cholesterol for their size, with 75mg per egg. That's a lot less than a chicken egg, but if you're watching your cholesterol, don't indulge in several at a time. Instead, have a single quail's egg as a treat or as a way to cut back on your intake of full-size eggs.
Quail's eggs have been served at historic events
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Perhaps because of their rich taste, quail's eggs have an association with luxury, and are often served at parties and events that want to convey an upscale sensibility. Like caviar or champagne, they are sometimes served as a display of decadence. At the 2014 party thrown by Cartier to celebrate their panther mascot, masked male models served quail's eggs and caviar from ornate trays. Quail's eggs have also appeared on menus at important events like the sumptuous banquet for the 2,500th anniversary of the founding of Persia (now Iran), where the menu featured quail eggs with truffle pearls.
When the Obamas hosted French President Francois Holland at the White House, the dinner included quail's eggs and dry-aged ribeye steaks. The eggs are also a favorite menu item at royal weddings. The canapé reception for William and Kate in 2011 included quail's eggs with celery salt, and the Queen's lunch reception for Harry and Meghan in 2018 featured a garden pea panna cotta with quail's eggs and lemon verbena.
Famous chefs love to use quail's eggs
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It should come as no surprise that some of the best-known chefs love to work with quail eggs. The visual impact alone makes for elegant plating, while the creamy texture easily adds richness to all manner of dishes. Chef Gordon Ramsay revealed (in a Tasting Table exclusive) that he uses quail eggs to top his version of a niçoise salad, and he also recommends them as an elegant topping for Triscuit canapés. Another British chef, Jamie Oliver, is also a fan of the versatility of quail's eggs, which he described to The Globe and Mail as "wicked."
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Curious about quail eggs? From nutritional benefits to culinary versatility, explore the 15 fascinating facts of these tiny egg powerhouses.
