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13 Eggs You Had No Idea People Were Eating

We don’t always experiment in the kitchen. As a whole, we stick to what we know, and in the United States, we know eggs — chicken eggs, to be precise. Chicken and egg are synonymous here in America; so much so that we embrace it as our dominant age-old question, “What came first, the chicken or the egg?”

But there are other eggs to explore and experience. The average person might only have a range that begins with scrambled and ends with poached, but more curious chefs are out trying everything from croc to rhea. Let’s see all the kinds of eggs people are taking for a culinary spin.

Emu Egg

At first glance, an emu egg looks like a puzzling decorative piece in a rich person's home that you do not understand and yet cannot stop examining. It’s a dark bluish green, like that of a Sedona hippie’s jewelry. A single emu egg weighs roughly two pounds, which could arguably be a dozen chicken eggs. In this YouTube video, user Sean Trank cracks open this sucker and unveils a massive omelette opportunity we could all easily share.

Ostrich Egg

If you were a child and came upon an ostrich egg, your default assumption would be that it's a dinosaur egg. But no, the monstrous bird that is the ostrich is real and its eggs are enormous rounded white blocks of smooth ivory coloring. Given that an ostrich egg is typically around three pounds, you can either make the world's biggest batch of potato salad or cook up an egg breakfast that could feed an entire diner. This YouTube video from theRandom123boy perfectly displays the enormity of an ostrich egg and the result is an omelette that can feed a family.

Crocodile Egg

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It may not surprise you that eggs from these lurking, floating beasts can prove somewhat fishy, but that’s why people like to boil them. Crocodile eggs are certainly enjoyed in certain parts of Australia, though they’re likely a tougher breed of human altogether. Just don’t take the eggs from out in the wild. Crocs aren’t fans of a lot of things and they for sure hate that. For a super unique example of how folks can consume croc eggs, YouTube account SuperBlueTaurus posts this video that highlights an ice cream shop in the Philippines that infuses them in their ice cream. Chill move? You decide.

Rhea Egg

Rheas are a lesser known flightless bird that look just as suspicious as an ostrich or emu. A rhea egg is about two pounds and it has a rather intense exterior. If you soft-boil it, head's up, it's not easy. However, it does deliver a flavor that The Independent's Samuel Muston described as "more complex and daintier than a hen's egg." As cumbersome as it may seem to cook this egg, a YouTube vid from F4TCT gives a succinct how-to on handling it.

Ant Egg

Bet you weren’t expecting to see these on the list! It’s true though. Weaver ant eggs are notably high in protein and enjoyed throughout Southeast Asia. They make for a popular salad dish, especially in Laos and Thailand. Given that the ants snack on mango leaves, they can even be used as a substitute for lemon juice in some recipes. If your curiosity gets the best of you and you’re dying to try them, peep this video from YouTuber darrenb3, as he shows us how to make a Thai ant egg salad.

Quail Egg

Naturally, we assume only kings and queens eat quail eggs. They love 'em! Aside from pheasant, that's all they really talk about eating in movies. In truth, quail eggs are enjoyed by all walks of life across the world, from being a hard-boiled topping for hamburgers or hot dogs in South American nations or as the Filipino street food kwek-kwek, which is basically deep-fried quail eggs on a skewer. In this YouTube video from My Money My Food, quail eggs are prominently featured in one village’s meal.

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Turkey Egg

For a country whose most gluttonous holiday focuses on a roasted turkey, it's curious how turkey eggs aren't a regular staple of the modern American diet. This may have something to do with how rarely turkeys lay eggs, compared to a chicken. See, hens start laying eggs around five months and keep a quota going of nearly one a day. Meanwhile, turkeys start at about seven months and only lay an egg twice a week. Still, turkey eggs were more regularly consumed across the states, back when wild turkeys would roam through homesteads. YouTube user shadricosuave’s video shows a turkey egg’s distinct spotted appearance, making you think twice before cracking due to it’s appealing aesthetic.

Goose Egg

These might be more popular among Americans if Aesop's Fables proved true and golden goose eggs were a thing. But alas, these are pretty standard, albeit with a rather dense yolk. While they’re also larger than chicken eggs, goose eggs can be cooked pretty much the same way. You just have to time it right. And you can make the fanciest omelette ever with goose eggs according to this video from Way Out West Blow-in blog.

Gull Egg

Dark dots cover the tan-brownish eggs of your friendly, local black-headed gull well, local if you’re in certain parts of Asia, Europe, or North America. Still, as they come from only one type of gull, these eggs are rather rare, available for a few weeks only right before summer starts. If you’re lucky enough to score a few, you’ll quickly notice that their yolks are more red-orange than you're used to. You can see the brilliant hue of the yolk well in this video from YouTube account RollingDiaries.

Pheasant Egg

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With a pale olive green color that looks like the walls of your stylish aunt and uncle's remodeled bathroom, pheasant eggs are aesthetically pleasing from the start. Beyond that, they have a rich flavor and probably empower you to make bold decisions. Royalty snack food can sometimes do that to a person unprepared. YouTuber AlaskaGranny shows us just how to properly cook these pretty little eggs.

Turtle Egg

Typically smaller than a golf ball and sometimes more oblong than you’d expect, turtle eggs are a treat to some. The taste of a turtle egg is up for debate, however, with some finding it packed with more flavor than that of a chicken, while others consider the taste just a tad too curious. Its preparation varies, from a simple splash of soy sauce before sucking out the goods to battering them up and smoking them along with a side of barbecue sauce. Check out this video from thetuttletribe, where he shares all the deets on eating one of these tiny eggs on their own.

Duck Egg

A duck egg is only slightly bigger than a chicken egg, but its benefits are apparent to any chef or baker. WIth less water and more fat, duck eggs can be cooked the same as chicken eggs for the most part. Duck eggs arguably work as magic, by the way. With them subbed in, omelettes will be fluffier, cookies are chewier, and cakes rise better. For a more in-depth look into the comparison between duck and chicken eggs, YouTuber Christopher Ruzyla provides us with this informative vid.

Guinea Fowl Egg

You can come at these eggs like you do chicken eggs. Just remember that their shells are harder than what you’re likely used to. Their insides can also prove creamier with less egg white. Guinea Fowl eggs can be good in cakes and pies or enjoyed by themselves, given the handsome flavor profile. Heads up, though, these aren’t as plentiful and easy of a find as other eggs. Rainbow Gardens posted up this YouTube video wherein she shows us how to poach this rare egg.