Eating eggs naturally refers to poultry eggs to most of us. But it isn't so. Apart from chicken eggs, duck eggs have been a part of the staple diet for people across the globe. My first experience with duck eggs was during my summer vacation at my maternal aunt's place in Kolkata. For lunch, she had prepared dimer jhol, or Bengali egg curry. By the look of it, I didn't find much difference except the bigger size. I was rather happy. But when I tasted it, the egg was not at all what I had been eating so far. Yes, there is a difference between duck eggs and chicken eggs. While taste is rather a subjective matter, other distinguishing attributes are factual. So, let's find out which is better per individual choices.
By following the references in this article, you can decide whether to stick to chicken eggs or try duck eggs.
Analogy of sizes
While there is some variance in egg size between chicken and duck breeds, on average, duck eggs are roughly half an ounce larger than chicken eggs. Duck eggs often weigh 2.5 ounces, the largest egg a bird can lay and fall into the USDA's "Jumbo" category. Eggs from larger duck breeds, such as Silver Appleyards and Pekins, weigh even more, at 3.0 to 3.5 ounces. For context, a large (USDA-graded) chicken egg weighs around 2 ounces.
Variations in egg ratio
Besides being larger, duck eggs have a higher yolk-to-white ratio than chicken eggs. The composition of a duck egg is 11% shell, 55% egg white (albumen), and 34% yolk. A typical chicken egg has 10% shell, 58% egg white, and 32% yolk. White-to-yolk ratios of duck and chicken eggs are different, which contributes to the distinct flavour and nutritional profile. Chicken egg whites are more watery (runnier) than duck egg whites.
Breaking an egg, Image Source: Pexels
Profile of flavor
As opposed to chicken eggs, duck eggs have a more luscious and velvety texture. If you've only had chicken eggs, your first duck egg can seem like it has more flavour. Bear in mind that the quality of life and diet of the chickens laying the eggs directly correlates with the taste (and nutritional value) of those eggs. While "better" is a relative term, most people would agree that duck eggs have a more satisfying flavour than chicken eggs do. It's possible that chicken egg yolks taste more sulphurous than duck eggs.
Protein contrast
Egg whites from a duck are dense in protein and contain less water than those from a chicken. This means that the amount of protein in a duck egg is nearly double that of a chicken egg. Whereas chicken eggs typically include roughly 5 grams of protein, duck eggs often have 9 grams.
A look at cholesterol and fat
The cholesterol content of duck eggs is higher than that of chicken eggs. On average, duck eggs have 9.6 grammes of fat, while chicken eggs only have 5. Cholesterol levels have been reported to vary by breed and environment for both species, making a definitive response impossible. Nonetheless, elevated cholesterol levels do not adversely affect the eater's health.
Eggs in a crate, Image Source: Pexels
An indicator of shelf life
Duck eggs may have a somewhat longer shelf life than chicken eggs because of their thicker shells, inner membranes, and unique bloom chemicals. Nevertheless, there are so many exceptions and variables that it's impossible to respond broadly appropriately to this issue. Duck eggs can be preserved in the fridge for up to three months but can be kept for two weeks at room temperature if not washed. Duck eggs can be stored for at least 5 weeks when washed and stored in the refrigerator.
After reading through the comparison between duck eggs and chicken eggs, we hope you can decide which one to pick.