Rouen duck eggs have been growing in popularity in recent years. Known for their large size and rich flavor, Rouen duck eggs are beloved by many chefs and home cooks. But are Rouen duck eggs really better than chicken eggs? Let’s take a closer look at what makes Rouen duck eggs unique.
What are Rouen ducks?
The Rouen duck is a medium-heavy duck breed known for its meat and egg production. Originally from the town of Rouen in France, Rouen ducks have a distinct plumage color pattern – the base color is gray-brown, with a white bib on the chest and a stripe of iridescent green on the wings.
Rouen ducks are also quite large, with males weighing 8-9 lbs and females weighing 7-8 lbs. Their large size means Rouen ducks lay very large eggs compared to other duck breeds.
Rouen duck egg sizes
On average, Rouen duck eggs weigh 100 grams, compared to 50 grams for chicken eggs. That means Rouen eggs are about 2 times the size of large chicken eggs.
Here’s a comparison of the sizes:
| Egg Type | Average Weight |
|---|---|
| Rouen Duck Egg | 100 grams |
| Large Chicken Egg | 50 grams |
The large size of Rouen duck eggs is one of their most distinguishing features. Their extra-large size makes them ideal for baking recipes that call for bigger eggs, like cakes and custards.
Taste and nutritional value
In addition to size, Rouen duck eggs differ from chicken eggs in taste and nutrition.
Flavor-wise, duck eggs taste richer than chicken eggs. The egg white is slightly less viscous, while the sunny golden yolk is creamier. The overall flavor is more robust and pronounced.
Nutritionally, duck eggs contain more protein and fat per gram than chicken eggs. Here’s a comparison:
| Nutrient | Rouen Duck Egg | Chicken Egg |
|---|---|---|
| Protein | 13 g | 6 g |
| Fat | 11 g | 5 g |
The higher fat and protein content makes sense when you consider the larger size of duck eggs. The richness provides more satiety and energy when eating duck eggs.
Benefits of Rouen duck eggs
There are several benefits that make Rouen duck eggs stand out from typical chicken eggs:
- Higher in nutrients – As shown above, Rouen eggs contain more fat and protein per gram.
- Richer taste – The flavor is more robust, creamy, and pronounced.
- Great for baking – Their large size makes them suitable for cakes, breads, and custards.
- Easier to peel boiled eggs – Duck eggs peel more easily after boiling compared to chicken eggs.
- Allergy friendly – Some people allergic to chicken eggs can tolerate duck eggs.
The abundant nutrients, accommodating size, and allergy advantages make Rouen duck eggs a great alternative to chicken eggs for many purposes.
Downsides of Rouen duck eggs
There are a couple potential downsides to consider with Rouen duck eggs:
- Higher price – Duck eggs typically cost more than chicken eggs at the grocery store.
- Stronger flavor – Some people find the richer, eggier taste overpowering.
- Rarer availability – Duck eggs may not be readily available depending on where you live.
However, the upsides like the nutrition and baking utility often make the extra cost and limited availability worth it for fans of Rouen duck eggs.
Nutritional value comparisons
Let’s take a more in-depth look at how the nutritional profiles of Rouen duck eggs and chicken eggs compare:
| Nutrient | Rouen Duck Egg | Chicken Egg |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 185 | 78 |
| Fat | 14 g | 5 g |
| Saturated Fat | 4 g | 1.5 g |
| Protein | 13 g | 6 g |
| Carbohydrates | 1.1 g | 0.6 g |
| Cholesterol | 689 mg | 186 mg |
| Sodium | 164 mg | 71 mg |
| Iron | 2.7 mg | 0.9 mg |
| Calcium | 65 mg | 27 mg |
As shown, Rouen duck eggs excel when it comes to fat, protein, iron, and calcium content. The higher levels of these nutrients make sense given the larger egg size.
However, Rouen duck eggs are also much higher in cholesterol. One duck egg contains 689 mg cholesterol, compared to just 186 mg in a chicken egg. For people concerned about cholesterol, this could be a downside of eating duck eggs regularly.
How do they taste?
Describing the exact taste of Rouen duck eggs can be subjective, but most people agree they offer a richer, more pronounced egg flavor.
The egg white tends to be a bit thinner and less viscous, making it easier to whip into peaks if making meringues or soufflés. The yolk has a deep yellow-orange color and a creamy, custard-like texture.
Overall, Rouen duck eggs taste fattier, meatier, and more robust. The flavor comes through whether the eggs are fried, poached, scrambled, or used in baking. The richness pairs especially well with bold seasonings and ingredients.
How to cook with Rouen duck eggs
Rouen duck eggs can be used much like chicken eggs in cooking and baking. Their extra large size makes them ideal for:
- Cakes – The additional volume helps cakes rise higher with a fluffier crumb.
- Breads – The egg-rich dough becomes lighter and airier when made with duck eggs.
- Custards and creams – Duck eggs create ultra-smooth, creamy custards.
- Quiches and stratas – The set becomes more velvety with duck eggs as the base.
For savory cooking, Rouen duck eggs work well:
- Fried – Sunny side up to showcase the bright orange yolks.
- Poached – The whites hold together nicely when poached in simmering water.
- Scrambled – Creamy, rich scrambles that hold together well.
- Hard boiled – Easy to peel shells after boiling.
Keep in mind that the cooking time may need to be slightly longer than chicken eggs since the large Rouen eggs take longer to set. But otherwise they can be used in place of chicken eggs in any recipe.
Where to buy Rouen duck eggs
Rouen duck eggs may not be as widely available as chicken eggs. Here are some places to look for them:
- Specialty grocery stores – Some higher-end grocers carry alternative egg options like duck eggs.
- Farmer’s markets – Look for vendors selling eggs from local farms.
- Asian grocery stores – Duck eggs are more common in many Asian cuisines.
- Online – Several online stores sell and ship duck eggs.
- From local duck farms – Contact nearby duck egg producers to buy directly.
Expect to pay a premium price for Rouen duck eggs, often $5-8 per dozen compared to $2-3 per dozen for chicken eggs. But fans find the benefits and taste worth the higher cost.
Are Rouen duck eggs a good alternative?
For those willing to pay a higher price for premium eggs, Rouen duck eggs present some excellent advantages:
- Higher in protein, fat, and key nutrients like iron and calcium.
- Giant size perfect for baking and custards.
- Rich, creamy, bold yolk with pronounced egg flavor.
- May be tolerated when allergic to chicken eggs.
However, cons like a much higher cholesterol content, stronger taste, and cost may make them inappropriate as an everyday egg for some people.
The bottom line
Rouen duck eggs stand out for their jumbo size, rich taste, and abundant nutrition. While the density of nutrients is higher, they also contain much more cholesterol than chicken eggs. Overall, Rouen duck eggs can provide a delicious and nutritious alternative to chicken eggs, as long as moderation is practiced to keep cholesterol levels in check. Their impressive egg-centric qualities make them a unique and premium egg choice.