In 2022, 1.65 trillion eggs were produced globally,and a huge chunk of this figure is occupied by chicken eggs, the most commonly consumed type of egg in the world.
However, quail eggs are also gaining traction these days.
They’re cute, and they add creaminess and nutritional value to every dish.
But in the battle betweenquail egg vs. chicken egg, which will prevail and win?
If you’re in a dilemma about which egg to use for your diet, this article is for you!
We’ll have a side-by-side comparison between quail and chicken eggs and discuss the difference between these two in terms of:
- nutritional contents and health benefits
- size, color, and appearance
- taste, texture, and common uses
This will also help you determine which egg to use for your next culinary adventure and which is best for your dietary needs.
So, join us as we uncover what each superfood can offer, the good and the bad, and everything in between.
Quail Egg vs. Chicken Egg Color and Appearance
Whilemostchickens lay white eggs,some breeds offer cream, pink,deep brown, purple, light blue, green, and even speckled eggs.
It was made possible by crossbreeding, but many of these chickens that produce colored eggs are used for ornamental purposes only.
On the other hand, themost common quail egg is white with dark brown spots all over it.
However, just like chickens, they’re available in a wide range of colors too.
You may find dark brown, white, light yellow, and light bluequail eggswith black, brown, or blue spots.
Quail Egg vs. Chicken Egg Size
Now, let’s talk about their size difference.
Quail eggs are visibly 3 to 4 times smaller than chickens.
Therefore, one chicken egg equals 3 to 4 quail eggs, depending on the size and breed.
Since they’re smaller, you’d have to crack more quail eggs when cooking to equal what a chicken egg can offer.
But which of them is healthier?
Quail Egg vs. Chicken Egg Nutritional Benefits
It’s no question that eggs are healthy; in fact, it’s regarded by many as asuperfood.
Since quail eggs and chicken eggs vary in size, it would be unfair to compare one quail egg to a chicken egg.
So, to help you weigh which egg is more nutritious, let’s consider this data from theUS Department of Agriculture’s Food Data Centralin the table below.
This shows the side-by-side comparison of quail egg and chicken egg’s nutritional content per 100 grams.
| Nutritional Contents per 100 grams | Chicken Egg |
Quail Egg |
| Water | 76.15 g |
74.35 g |
| Energy | 143 kcal |
158 kcal |
| Protein | 12.56 g |
13 g |
| Total Fat | 9.51 g |
11.09 g |
| Carbohydrates | 0.72 g |
0.41 g |
| Sugar | 0.37 g |
0.4 g |
| Calcium | 56 mg |
64 mg |
| Iron | 1.75 mg |
3.65 mg |
| Magnesium | 12 mg |
13 mg |
| Phosphorus | 198 mg |
226 mg |
| Sodium | 142 mg |
141 mg |
| Potassium | 138 mg |
132 mg |
| Zinc | 1.29 mg |
1.47 mg |
| Selenium | 30.7 µg |
32 µg |
| Vitamin A | 160 µg |
156 µg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.89 µg |
1.58 µg |
| Choline | 293.8 mg |
263.4 mg |
| Cholesterol | 372 mg |
844 mg |
As shown in the table above, quails do contain higher amounts of protein, minerals, fats, and vitamins.
But let’s break down the differences to see which type of egg is healthier.
Analyzing Quail Egg vs. Chicken Egg’s Nutritional Contents
Quail eggs provide 5kcal more energy than chicken eggs.
Furthermore, quail eggs also have 0.49g more protein, 1.58g more fat, and 0.03 more sugar content which explains why they have a slightly richer taste.
Additionally, quail eggs contain more phosphorus, zinc, calcium, and selenium.
On top of that, their eggs contain twice the amount of chicken egg’s iron content and 77% more vitamin B-12 than that of the chickens.
That’s a huge plus for the quail eggs.
However, chicken eggs have more healthy fats like omega-3 and -6 fatty acids.
They also offer more carbohydrates, sodium, potassium, and vitamin A.
Furthermore, chicken eggs are higher in choline, which protects our liver and our brain against Alzheimer’s disease.
While quail eggs seem to have more advantages, their downside is their cholesterol content.
Would it do more bad than good?
Let’s dig deeper into it to find out how it can affect your body.
Quail Egg Cholesterol vs. Chicken Egg
It’s noteworthy that100g of quails have 472mg more cholesterol than 100g of chickens.
Therefore, one tiny quail weighing about 9g contains 76mg of cholesterol, while a small chicken egg weighing about 38g only has 141mg of cholesterol.
And a single serving of quail eggs which is usually composed of 5 to 6 eggs, will have over 380mg of cholesterol.
It exceeds the restricted cholesterol consumption of theDietary Guidelines for Americans,which is300mg each day.
But the restrictions are not effective today due to recent discoveries that dietary cholesterol doesn’t have a significant effect on a person’s blood cholesterol level.
Furthermore, cholesterol acquired through food consumed has a minimal relationship to heart disease.
Additionally, astudy among Chinesepeople in 2018 reported that daily consumption of eggs is associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular diseases(CVD).
But still, it’s best to limit your cholesterol intake if you have underlying medical conditions.
Quail Egg vs. Chicken Egg Taste and Texture
Chicken and quail eggs arealmost identical in tasteand share many similar nutritional contents.
However, it’s worth noting thatquail eggs have a higher yolk-to-white ratio than chicken eggswhich explains why they have a more buttery and slightly richer taste.
Furthermore, quail eggs are delicate and are smoother than chicken in terms of consistency.
And when used in cooking and baking, quail eggs are thicker and creamier, so they are richer and slightly more flavorful.
Quail Egg vs. Chicken Egg Cost
Now, we’re down to the cost comparison, which is worth considering whenever you purchase something.
Despite quail eggs’ miniature size, they’re generally more expensive than chicken eggs due to lower supply.
Furthermore, since they’re considered a gourmet item and mainly used in high-end restaurants, they’re priced high and purchased as an occasional indulgence.
On the other end, chicken eggs are everywhere. That’s why they’re more affordable.
Since they’re available in different sizes, chicken eggs are more flexible in terms of cost and quantity.
And unlike quail eggs, chickens are a staple in the kitchen and pantry, so they’re commonly purchased daily.
So, in a battle between quail vs. chicken egg, the latter has an edge regarding cost-effectivity.
Quail Eggs vs. Chicken Egg’s Common Uses
Now, let’s discuss the common uses of each type of egg.
They can be used interchangeably in many dishes due to their similar taste.
Butquail eggs are commonly usedas a bite-sized snack, high-end appetizers, and gourmet meals as garnishes.
In Columbia, Brazil, and Ecuador, quail eggs are used as toppings for hot dogs.
But in Malaysian cuisine, cooks use quail eggs for their spicy sauce calledsambal.
In Japanese cuisines, raw quail eggs are popular as sushi toppings, while in the Philippines, they’re popularly used forkwek-kwek,an egg street food wrapped in flour and deep fried.
However, quail eggs are prone to cracking, so they require careful handling during the cooking process and storage.
On the other end, chicken eggs are a highly versatile ingredient used in different culinary dishes.
You can serve them for breakfast or use them for desserts and other pastry products.
Since they have sturdier shells, they’re easier to handle and store.
预防措施从吃气过敏反应cken and Quail Eggs
Commercialized chicken eggs go through a rigorous process of pasteurization to kill the bacteria that nestle on the shell.
However,most quail eggs aren’t pasteurized when sold in the market.
That is why eating raw quail eggs is always risky.
Since quail eggs are popularly used in raw dishes like sushi or steak tartare, you must be cautious when eating these eggs.
不建议孕妇和刊物特色duals with weak immune systems.
And if you still want to eat quail eggs, you must ensure the yolks are fully cooked and not runny or gelatinous to avoid adverse health effects.
But some people develop allergic reactions after eating quail eggs, even if they’re fully cooked.
So what is egg allergy, and what causes and triggers it?
Chicken Egg Allergy
If you experience egg allergy, you’re likely to develop rashes and stomach pain.
It occurs when your immune system becomes sensitized and reacts to the foreign substance, the egg’s protein content, from the egg white or yolk.
As a result, your body will send out chemicals that cause allergic reactions to protect you from these foreign invaders.
The allergic reaction can be a combination of the following:
- vomiting
- itching
- stomach cramps
- diarrhea
- indigestion
- redness
- swollen face
- cough
- wheeze
- urticaria
- anaphylaxis
According to a study onegg allergy in US children, it is common among children under five years old.
Furthermore, 60.2% of these egg-allergic children were allergic to other foods like peanuts, and nearly 2/3 of them have baked egg tolerance.
Fortunately, 70% of egg-allergic children can overcome this condition when they reach 16 years of age.
But the bad news is chicken egg-allergic people can also be allergic to other types of eggs, such as duck and goose.
For example, acase study in Madrid, Spainback in 2000 reported a unique food allergy case of an adult patient caused by duck and goose egg consumption.
What makes this case unusual is that the patient had no records of hen egg allergy.
Quail Egg Allergy
Those who are allergic to chicken eggs also tend to get sensitized by quail eggs because both eggs have similar protein structures.
However, there are some instances when a person allergic to one type of egg won’t develop an allergy to eggs from other species.
But according to a study byAllergologia et Immunopathologia, the protein in quail eggs that is responsible for the allergic reactions didn’t react with the chicken egg’s protein.
Therefore, there’s a possibility that quail egg-allergic people may not have a chicken egg allergy.
However, due to the chances of cross-reactivity, experts recommend shying away from other types of eggs if you are allergic to chicken eggs.
Are Quail Eggs Better Than Chicken Eggs?
The answer boils down to every person’s preferences.
But are quail eggs healthier than chicken eggs?
Although quail eggs have higher protein and other vitamin contents, the differences are insignificant.
So, technically, quail eggs are barely more nutritious than chicken eggs.
It’s also worth noting that quail eggs are smaller than chicken eggs.
So if you want to cook this miniature gourmet ingredient, you’ll need to crack more eggs to achieve what a normal chicken egg can offer.
Furthermore, chicken eggs are more cost-effective than quail eggs because they’re cheaper and widely available.
So if you’re using them for your pastry or restaurant business, chicken eggs allow more opportunity for a larger profit.
Ways How to Prepare Quail and Chicken Eggs
Both chicken and quail eggs are useful in any recipe.
And since these eggs share almost similar flavors, they can be used interchangeably on any dish.
But here are the most common ways of preparing and cooking these eggs.
Boiled
The easiest way to cook both eggs is through boiling.
Quail eggs are smaller therefore, they require less cooking time, and they’re often served as a bite-sized snack.
However, both eggs can be boiled and added to salads and sandwiches or other delicious dishes.
Fried
This traditional method of cooking eggs can also be utilized on both quail and chicken eggs.
Whether you prefer sunny-side-up, over-easy, or over-hard, you can enjoy these eggs on their own or when added as a topping for noodles or any dish.
They’re commonly used for breakfast and for sandwiches too!
Scrambled
Another easiest and fastest way of cooking both eggs is by whisking them.
Scrambled eggs make a great combination with stir-fried dishes, and it’s rich in protein, which makes them perfect for breakfast.
Baked
We all know chicken eggs if often used in many pastry recipes such as cakes, cookies, mustards, quiches, and simple pancakes.
But quail eggs can be used in baking muffin tins, too!
They’re also widely used in creating elegant individual-sized egg dishes, thanks to baked quail eggs’ miniature size.
Poached
Another way to prepare these eggs is through poaching.
This method requires a shorter cooking time and can help conserve more antioxidants, which means poached eggs are more nutritious.
You can poach eggs in boiling water or in a microwave.
And what’s unique compared to other methods is it allows you to get a firm egg white with a soft, creamy yolk on the inside.
It’s perfect for breakfast too!
But it can be challenging to get perfect-shaped poached eggs, and it takes time to master this method.
FAQs About Chicken and Quail Eggs
Is a quail egg healthier than a chicken egg?
Quails are indeed healthy, but they’re not far superior to chicken eggs.
Even if they have higher fat, protein iron, calcium, riboflavin, and vitamin B-12 content, chicken eggs have more vitamin A, choline, and sodium but less cholesterol than quail eggs.
Is 1 quail egg equivalent to a chicken egg?
A single chicken egg is equal to 3 quail eggs because they’re larger in size than quail.
That means you must crack more eggs to get what a single chicken egg serving can offer.
Can I eat quail eggs every day?
Since quail eggs are about 1/3 the size of small chicken eggs, you can eat more of them.
In fact, you can eat 6 to 12 of them daily.
But if you have underlying health conditions, you must limit your cholesterol intake.
Is it true that quail egg is high in cholesterol?
Quail eggs do have higher cholesterol than chicken eggs.
But, no study has proven that dietary cholesterol can negatively impact the blood’s cholesterol levels.
And according to research, cholesterol gained from your diet has a minimal relationship to heart disease.
Which has more cholesterol, chicken egg or quail egg?
Quail egg’s cholesterol level per 100g of serving is 844mg.
On the other hand, a 100g chicken egg serving contains only 372mg of cholesterol.
These figures clearly tell us that although quails are smaller, they have more cholesterol content than that of chickens.
Quail Egg vs. Chicken Egg: Our Final Verdict
Now, we’re down to the final and most important question.
Which egg is better?
The answer actually boils down to your needs since both are useful in any kitchen recipe.
Both eggs are available in a wide range of pretty colors and are useful in pastry products.
Chicken eggs are more versatile, though, because these can be used for cakes, cookies, mustards, and pancakes, while quail eggs are best for tiny muffin tins and ramekins.
Their taste is almost identical, too, although quail eggs have a slightly richer taste.
But if you want a highly nutritious breakfast egg meal high in protein, iron, and vitamin B-12 and you fancy having cute little bite-sized eggs as snacks or garnishes for gourmet meals, quail eggs are the way to go.
However, if you prefer affordable eggs rich in potassium, vitamin A, and choline and you don’t have the luxury of time for egg peeling or cracking, then the chicken egg is the cost-effective choice for you.