Where To Buy Ostrich Eggs
If you have a health curiosity about ostrich eggs and meats, you are not alone. There are so many people all over the globe eager to know about the uses and benefits of ostrich eggs and hence ask in online forums: where to buy ostrich eggs. Read this post carefully, as I have tried to answer all about the general queries about ostrich eggs and meat and where to procure them.
In the 1990s, a lot of people became curious about ostrich meat and started learning about the benefits of ostrich meat or the use of ostrich oil to heal wounds and cure diseases. You may have tried one or the other yourself or have seen people trying out such remedies. But many people are simply not even aware what to do with ostrich eggs. They are so big and at the same time, so costly!
Read on to learn more about what you can use ostrich eggs for and where to buy them.
ALL ABOUT OSTRICH EGGS
Ostriches are the largest birds in the world. So it’s no surprise that they also have the largest eggs. Ostriches are native to Africa, but are now found on every continent in the world. They belong to a group of birds called ratites – birds that cannot fly. In addition to the ostrich, this group includes birds such as the hippo, emu and kiwi, to name a few.
An ostrich egg ranges in color from light brown to off-white and is very shiny. An ostrich chicken can lay one to two eggs per week during the breeding season (between April and September) and can produce eggs for up to 30 years.
How big are ostrich eggs? They are about 6 inches long and 5 inches wide. They weigh an average of 3 pounds and contain nearly 2 pounds of egg protein. The eggs are equal to 2 dozen chicken eggs.
WHERE CAN YOU BUY OSTRICH EGGS?
Ostrich eggs are expensive compared to chicken eggs. The average price of ostrich eggs is about $30.
Many places do not sell edible ostrich eggs. This is primarily because it is an impractical and uneconomical idea. One ostrich egg is the equivalent of an omelet with 24 chicken eggs, and most people don’t need that big of a breakfast on a regular basis. An edible ostrich egg would cost about the same as a live chicken, and most consumers would not be willing to pay that amount for their breakfast.
However, it is possible to buy empty ostrich egg shells. You can find them on the Internet and at reputable ostrich farms. The shells can be used for craft decorations.
Most ostrich farms sell the shells from eggs that are infertile, i.e., no embryo has developed. A diamond drill is used to make a small hole to remove the yolk and egg white. The shell is then sterilized in a bleach bath before being shipped.
CAN OSTRICH EGGS BE EATEN?
Yes, an ostrich egg is edible and you can eat it. One egg contains about 2,000 calories. Compared to a chicken egg, it contains more magnesium and iron, but less vitamin E and A.
However, in practice, it is not very practical to cook or eat an ostrich egg. According to the American Ostrich Association, it takes almost 90 minutes to hard boil an ostrich egg.
It is also not recommended to fry the egg. Most people probably don’t have a pan or utensils large enough to handle the size of the egg. Besides, the shell is so incredibly hard that you need a handsaw or a hammer to break it!
Given all these characteristics of eggs, it is fair to ask, “Can you eat ostrich eggs?” The answer is yes, and many even recommend it.
Ostrich meat is one of the healthiest red meats available. It is easily digestible, making it a good choice for people with sensitive stomachs. It is very lean and full of flavor. It tastes like high-quality beef and can replace beef in recipes just as well as beef.
Ostrich meat is also humane and sustainable. Most ostriches have a habit of living on farms with open fields. They are not fed on steroids, hormones or antibiotics. In addition, raising ostriches is more environment-friendly than raising cattle. They require less water and land than cattle. They produce fewer greenhouse gases and emit almost no methane.
OSTRICH EGGSHELLS THROUGHOUT HISTORY
For more than 100 000 years, ostrich skins have been used in many different cultures for both practical and artistic purposes. Archaeologists working in the Mediterranean region have found evidence of ostrich eggshells dating back to the 7th century BC. Many African archaeological sites show that shellfish shells were used to store and transport water or paint.
Several ancient cultures used them as tools. They used the shells to make arrowheads and ceramic combs.
Babylonian and Assyrian texts mention the use of ostrich eggs as medicines. Some believed it protected against blindness.
In ancient Greek shrines they were used as symbols of fertility and prosperity. There are still churches where ostrich eggs are hung as decorations.
One of the most popular methods is the use of ostrich eggshells in graves. Elaborately decorated eggshells symbolise resurrection and eternal life. This practice is well documented from cultures between the 4th and 2nd centuries BC. Today, many Muslims still use ostrich eggs to honour their dead by hanging them above their graves.
WHAT TO DO WITH OSTRICH EGGS IN MODERN TIMES?
Decorated ostrich eggs are still used in North African homes today. They can decorate the roofs of thatched cottages or be gilded and placed in a chandelier.
The shells are also used for jewellery and small ornaments. Small slices and shapes are cut from the bark and used in necklaces, pendants, belts and anklets.
Scientists are also studying ostrich eggs to develop new treatments against viruses and bacteria.
Yasuhiro Tsukamoto is Dean of Veterinary Medicine at Kyoto University in Japan. He has been studying ostrich eggs for many years. He is trying to find out whether antibodies can be extracted from unfertilized ostrich eggs to make drugs for humans. His research is still in the pre-clinical phase and has not yet been published or peer-reviewed. However, some of his work shows that he can neutralize the dengue virus.
DIFFERENT USES OF OSTRICH EGGS
Although eating them is somewhat impractical, there are several reasons why people want to know where to buy ostrich eggs. They are particularly well suited to interior decorating and painting projects.
It’s important to find a reputable farm, such as American Ostrich Farms, for eggshells. And while you’re there, check out their other products, like ostrich meat and ostrich soaps and oils!
Wrapping up
Where to buy ostrich eggs
Hopefully, this post about where to buy ostrich eggs and their benefits and uses have given you enough food for thought and if you want to try ostrich meats along with ostrich-based products, you are free to do some experiments. Go ahead!
