Introduction: As the saying goes, "For poultry, pigeons and quails are the top choices." Quail meat, with its delicious taste and rich nutrition, has long been favored by many food connoisseurs. Quail eggs are equally popular, especially among children. These tiny eggs, perfect for one bite, are truly satisfying. As for pigeons, they are typically used for roast pigeon or in soups. Little did people know, pigeon eggs have recently become a new delicacy at banquets.
Speaking of pigeon eggs, many people may have seen them. They are similar in color and shape to white chicken eggs but are smaller, with slightly pointed ends. Pigeon eggs not only have a great texture but are also rich in high protein and vitamins. Long-term consumption can enhance skin elasticity, improve blood circulation, and has the effects of nourishing the liver and kidneys, benefiting vital energy, and making the skin tender and fair. Even in the imperial cuisine of the Qing Dynasty over a hundred years ago, their presence can be found. Some historical records also mention the popularity of pigeon dishes in Yangzhou at the time, where pigeon meat and eggs were common items at banquets. Among these records is a method for preparing whole stewed pigeon eggs: "The method for stewing pigeon eggs is the same as for stewing chicken kidneys. Take several dozen chicken kidneys, boil them until slightly done, remove the membranes, and stew them with chicken broth and seasonings. The result is incredibly fresh and tender." No wonder pigeon eggs have become popular in the provincial capital recently.
As the saying goes, rarity breeds value. A hen lays an egg only every five or six days, and since they feed on grains, the albumen of pigeon eggs is exceptionally tender and firm. Therefore, don't be fooled by their small size—the price of a single pigeon egg might shock you. It's roughly equivalent to the price of a pound of chicken eggs. Consequently, many unscrupulous merchants take the opportunity to pass off quail eggs as pigeon eggs to make a huge profit.
However, for all you neighbors, it's not difficult to acquire the "sharp eyes" to spot these "disguised" quail eggs. By mastering a few simple tricks, you can easily buy authentic pigeon eggs.
First, look at the appearance. Pigeon eggs are larger than quail eggs, and their shells are almost symmetrical at both ends. No matter how much a quail egg is "disguised," its size can't be altered. Moreover, quail eggs are oval-shaped—one end is round, the other is pointed. Even bleached quail eggs have an uneven surface color.
Second, hold them up to the light. Like chicken eggs, pigeon eggs can be held against a light source. When light passes through, the egg body appears translucent. However, "disguised" quail eggs, after their spots have been corroded, are coated with a chemical "shell," so they won't be translucent. If you can't decide by size, you can also weigh them. Typically, a pound of quail eggs contains fifty to sixty eggs, while a pound of pigeon eggs contains about thirty. If the numbers are vastly different, you should be cautious.
Third, rely on the texture. Basically, the methods above should be enough to tell them apart. If not, it's time for the final resort—the texture. When cooked, the albumen of a pigeon egg is crystal clear, almost transparent, and very tender. The albumen of a cooked quail egg, on the other hand, is white.
Pigeon eggs can be prepared in various ways. Babies can eat fresh pigeon eggs mixed into rice cereal. The elderly and adults can boil them or cook them into a sweet soup with milk. Of course, at banquets, they can be cooked, shelled, and served with other delicacies.
If you want to buy pigeon eggs, you might occasionally find them at large wholesale poultry markets for about five yuan each. After buying them, store pigeon eggs in the refrigerator at 4 to 8 degrees Celsius, and they can last for about a month.
Here, Xiaomei has carefully recommended several ways to eat pigeon eggs for you to try!
【Pigeon Eggs with Tomato】 【Stir-fried Pigeon Eggs with Lettuce】 【Pigeon Eggs and Longan Sweet Soup】