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There is a growing recognition that duck eggs are a versatile and
delicious cooking ingredient and not just a gourmet alternative to
hen eggs. They are already firm favourites with celebrity chefs and
top end restaurants and are now poised to retake their position as a
staple kitchen cupboard ingredient.
The demand for duck eggs was highlighted in a recent customer survey
from one of the top ranking supermarkets. However, a separate survey
carried out by Watercress Lane, the UK's leading duck egg producer,
found that only three of the major supermarkets stock duck eggs, and
even these only had them at selected stores.
Where they are available, duck eggs are flying off the shelves. The
modern shopper is no longer influenced by out-of-date prejudices and
is happy to shell out a little more for an egg that both tastes and
cooks better especially when it naturally includes additional health benefits.
Despite being low in calories, duck eggs are unsurpassed as a single
food source of high quality protein and the essential micronutrients
thought vital to good health, particularly for growth and development
in infancy and early life.
Watercress Lane produces over seven and a half million duck eggs each
year and has now launched its own quality mark, the 'Blue Duck', to
guarantee its eggs are produced to consistently high standards of
freshness, food safety and animal welfare.
"Eggs are one of the simplest and most nourishing food
sources" says Melandy Daniels, manager at Watercress Lane
"and duck eggs have more protein, minerals and vitamins than hen
eggs as well as a proper egg flavour. Our customers trust our eggs
not just because they carry the Blue Duck - they are versatile and
easy to cook with and will produce outstandingly delicious results."
This growing interest in an alternative to the everyday hen egg is a
reflection of a consumer desire for something better and of the
capability of producers such as Watercress Lane to provide duck eggs
of a consistent quality and freshness throughout the year. It is up
to the supermarkets to take advantage of this and give their
customers the choice they want |
