Prevent diabetes, Improve Vision, Raise Energy Levels, Maintain healthy skin, Promote brain function, Reduce Blood Pressure, Increase Metabolism, Promotes healthy hair, Prevent anemia, Enhance body development, Maintain healthy teeth, Balance Cholesterol, Cleanse the Body, Relieve depression,Prevents Bladder Stones, Reduce the risk of heart disease, Soothe Allergies,Purify the blood, Stimulate Growth, Prevent Chronic Disease, Build muscle, Promotes sexual function, Treat gastritis, Cough and Asthma Remedy, Benefits of Quail Eggs for kids
As the name suggests, quail eggs are the eggs laid by several species of quail, which are in the order Galliformes. Quail are actually a mid-sized birds found through Europe, North Africa, the southern United States and parts of Asia. It is commonly found in southern United States, Europe, parts of Asia and North Africa and normally inhabits woodlands, areas covered with bushes and open spaces. Quail is about 4.5 to 7.8 inches long and weight about 150 to 200 grams. Body is covered with brown, black, white, grey and blue feathers. They feed on seeds, leaves, roots, wheat, barley, berries and occasionally from grasshoppers and worms.
Quail eggs are particularly smaller than duck and chicken eggs, and are extensively consumed and sold as novelty foods around the world. They are common in Japanese bento boxes, and are typically eaten 3-5 at a time, due to their small size. Aside from being considered “cute” in many cultures, they are also packed with nutrients that make them a delicious and healthy option to add to your daily or weekly diet.
A quail egg, even with their small size is packed with vitamins and minerals and its nutritional value is three to four times greater than that of chicken egg. The white part of the egg contain more than half of the protein which is usually found in an egg adding vitamin B2 and lower amounts of fat and cholesterol than the yolk. Regular consumption of quail eggs helps in fighting certain diseases, and quail eggs, unlike other eggs have not been known to cause any diathesis or allergies. They are well-known for their wonderful flavor and fine, creamy texture. They are also popular in Chinese and Japanese cooking.
History
The reference to quails can be traced back in the old testament of Bible. Egyptians were known to catch quail for meat. In China, these birds were raised as pets as singing birds. In late eleventh century, quail was brought to Japan from China.
It is known that a Japanese Emperor got cured from tuberculosis after eating quail meat. Afterwards, Japanese people started raising quail broadly for meat and egg. Since the wild quails were tamed and bred in captivity by Japanese people, the birds came to known as Japanese quail.
In India, quail keeping started in 1974 at Ijatnagar, when Central Avian Research Institute, introduced improved germ plasm of domesticated quail varieties from Japan, and then in 1983 at Tamil Nadu. Thereafter, agricultural Universities of Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal; veterinary colleges as well as animal husbandry department played a vital role in the promotion of quail breeding as a farm enterprise.
Nutritional Value
Apart from their wonderful taste, quail egg is a good source of nutrients, vitamins and minerals. Consuming 9 gram of quail egg offers 0.14 µg of Vitamin B-12, 0.071 mg of Vitamin B2, 2.9 µg of Selenium, 23.7 mg of Choline, 0.33 mg of Iron, 0.158 mg of Vitamin B5, 1 g of Total Fat, 20 mg of Phosphorus, 1.17 g of Protein, 14 µg of Vitamin A and 6 µg of Vitamin B9. Moreover many Amino acids 0.019 g of Tryptophan, 0.058 g of Threonine, 0.073 g of Isoleucine, 0.103 g of Leucine, 0.079 g of Lysine, 0.038 g of Methionine, 0.028 g of Cystine, 0.066 g of Phenylalanine and 0.049 g of Tyrosine are also found in 9 gram of quail egg.
Types of Quail
Quail species distribution presents a bit of a riddle. While all 15 or so quail species prefer to inhabit forests and woodlands, each quail variety shows somewhat different features resulting from the birds’ environmental adaptations. During mating season, quail often gather with family groups that can reach 100 birds. Quail are fast offspring producers, capable of mating at 2 months of age and hatching eggs in less than a month’s time.
1. Bobwhite Quail
Bobwhite quail, the most common quail species, have achieved notoriety for their memorable “bob-white” call. Bobwhites also hold the distinction as the top game bird of the southern and eastern United States. Wildfowl hunters flush bobwhite quail from habitats that include brush, fields, woods and weeds east of the Rocky Mountains. This far-ranging bird species has established a footprint beyond the United States, as bobwhite quail also inhabit Canada and Mexico.
2. Button Quail
Button quail have scratched out a distinctive niche among bird breeding enthusiasts. Chinese painted quail, the most commonly kept button quail species, originated in Southeast Asia, Australia and Africa. These smallish quail adapt well to outdoor aviaries, or bird habitats, where they scour the enclosures’ floors for seeds. Button quail also romp in branches on aviary floors and often take dust or sand baths to clean themselves. These quiet, agreeable birds mesh well with other aviary dwellers, making button quail desirable for large and small enclosures.
3. Japanese Quail
Quail farmers have discovered Japanese quail, often found in large numbers in East Asian habitats. In the United States, niche farmers raise Japanese quail for their eggs, considered a delicacy in many restaurants and among a growing number of consumers. While Japanese quail prefer grassland environments, these speckled brownish birds adapt quite well to enclosures that include sand for dust baths and bushy branches for camouflage.
4. California Quail
California quail are well adapted to California’s chaparral, coastal sagebrush and high desert habitats. These skittish birds scratch along the ground in groups, sounding a distinctive “chi-ca-go” call as they move along. California quail maintain a 70 percent vegetarian diet that includes seeds, flowers, leaves and birdseed from convenient backyards. These opportunistic birds also consume mites, beetles and caterpillars. This arid-habitat quail species often gathers moisture from insects and water-containing vegetation. During long, blistering heat waves, California quail must find drinking water as well.
5. Mountain Quail
The largest quail species found in the United States, Mountain quail possess a unique characteristic of two straight feathers that arch over the back. These birds are easily recognized by their top knots, which are shorter in the female. They have a brown face and heavily white-barred underside.
6. Gambel’s Quail
Also known as desert quail, Gambel’s quail are located in dry regions of the southwestern United States. Gambel’s quail are easily recognized by their top knots and scaly plumage on their undersides. They have gray plumage on their bodies, and males have copper feathers on the top of their heads, black faces, and white stripes above their eyes.
7. Scaled Quail
Also known as blue quail, Scaled quail are known for their blue scaled appearance. Along with its scaly markings, the bird is easily identified by its white crest that resembles a tuft of cotton
8. Mearn’s Quail
With the smallest range in the United States, the Mearn’s quail is found in southern Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and Mexico. They live in mountain areas populated with oak and juniper trees, as well as grasslands. Often referred to as Montezuma quail, they have a unique coloration of feathers which aids in their means of camoflauge.
Health Benefits of Quail Eggs
Even it comes in small sizes, quail egg packed with lots of nutrient which provide many benefits to the body and it has been proven by some studies. The benefits of quail eggs are listed below
1. Prevent diabetes
Who knows that quail egg can prevent diabetes? Study reported that quail egg contains amino acid particularly Leucine which can help in regulating blood sugar level and maintain the balance level of insulin that makes it a good food to prevent and treat diabetes.
2. Improve Vision
Quail Egg consists of impressively high level of vitamin A, which means that it helps to protect our vision and eye health. The antioxidant activity of vitamin A help to reduce macular degeneration and prevent the development of cataracts, helping you see better for longer!(1)
3. Raise Energy Levels
The long list of minerals and micronutrients found in these tiny eggs, as well as the protein boost of nearly 6 grams per serving, makes these eggs particularly good for an early morning surge of energy and mood. A high-protein, nutrient-dense breakfast is extremely recommended for those who often feel dependent on caffeine or other stimulants to regulate their energy levels.(2)
4. Maintain healthy skin
Quail eggs are an excellent source of protein and it contains Lysine, an amino acid that helps to promote the collagen production. Collagen is a type of proteins that is required in keeping skin layer tightness and prevents it from sagging and wrinkle.
5. Promote brain function
Quail eggs contain amino acid and great protein level which can help to encourage the brain function and nourish the nerve system in brain so it can work better. The amino acid or protein in quail eggs also safeguard the brain cells from damage and repair the cell if its broken.
6. Reduce Blood Pressure
There are a number of essential minerals found in quail eggs, and potassium happens to be one of them. Although the cardio-protective effects of quail eggs is still under heavy research, the presence of potassium means blood pressure-reducing abilities, as this mineral acts as a vasodilator, relieving strain and stress on the arteries and blood vessels. There is also more potassium in quail eggs than in normal chicken eggs.(3)
7. Increase Metabolism
The range of B-family vitamins found in quail eggs result in boosted metabolic activity throughout the body, including hormonal and enzymatic function. By ensuring smooth bodily processes and organ functions, quail eggs can be far more than a delicious treat!(4)
8. Promotes healthy hair
Quail Eggs is quite beneficial for promoting healthy hair. Quail egg contains many amino acids especially the Linoleat acid that can nourish the hair roots and promote healthy hair growth.
9. Prevent anemia
Study show that women who consume quail egg frequently tend to have lower risk of developing anemia. Quail eggs contain iron which can help in red blood cell formation and prevent anemia while the amino acid in quail egg also may increase the level of haemoglobin within the red blood cells. The haemoglobin itself is a protein which play important role in oxygen and nutrient binding as well as transportation through all parts of the body.
10. Enhance body development
Protein is the main body building block and it is essential in the development process of the body particularly in children. Quail contains high amount of protein which may encourages body development and it also promotes better organs function within the body.
11. Maintain healthy teeth
Quail eggs specially the yolk part contain many minerals including Zinc which is required in maintaining healthy teeth.
12. Balance Cholesterol
There are a good amount of beneficial fatty acids found in quail eggs that many people enjoy due to their heart-boosting effects. HDL cholesterol is the “good” form of cholesterol that our body needs to offset the negative effects of LDL cholesterol, and HDL makes up more than 60% of the fat in quail eggs. However, for people with pre-existing cholesterol problems, adding large quantities of these eggs to your diet might not be the best choice, as there is roughly 1.6 grams of saturated fat in each serving.(5)
13. Cleanse the Body
Detoxifying the body is important, mainly in a world filled with toxins, pollutants, and heavy metals. Studies have shown that adding these eggs to your diet can help eliminate toxins from the blood stream, as help to reduce the size of bladder stones and kidney stones.(6)
14. Relieve depression
Quail eggs don’t only contain vitamin, mineral, carbohydrate and protein. It is also completed with some sex hormones according to study by Daniel in 2010. Quail eggs contain anti-depression properties that called as hormone P which is quite effective in relieving depression especially in women who suffer from menopause syndrome.
15. Prevents Bladder Stones
Quail eggs are good for improving your kidney, liver and gallbladder health. Quail eggs also inhibit the growth of bladder stones and help break them down. The eggs are rich in Lecithin, which helps break down bladder stones.(7)
16. Reduce the risk of heart disease
Quail egg contains important nutrients and vitamins that can reduce the risk of heart disease by 24% according to study by Lee et al in 2010. This benefits served by the presence of Vitamin E or tocopherol.
17. Soothe Allergies
Quail eggs are naturally high in ovomucoid protein, which acts in the body as a natural anti-allergenic. Therefore, if you are suffering from congestion, inflammation, or other symptoms of allergic reactions, quail eggs can get your body back to normal.(8)
18. Purify the blood
Quail egg has been proved can help the body to remove certain heavy metals and toxin such as mercury. The amino acid and other component of quail eggs can bind the toxin and flush it away from the body. This make quail eggs as blood purifier.
19. Stimulate Growth
Just like with regular chicken eggs, quail eggs provide a solid boost of protein to the diet, which we need for countless processes in our body. Proteins are broken down into their constituent components and reformed for new cells, tissue, muscle, bone, and blood vessels. The protein punch of these eggs can ensure healthy and normal growth/repair.(9)
20. Prevent Chronic Disease
Antioxidants are crucial components of human health, as we are constantly battling free radicals that cause chronic disease and cancer. Quail eggs possess significant levels of vitamin C and vitamin A, which can help to neutralize those free radicals and protect your overall health.(10)
21. Build muscle
The high protein content of quail egg makes it perfect as a food for building muscle. If you want to have great muscle tone you can consume quail eggs regularly and taking exercise as well.
22. Promotes sexual function
It has been mentioned before that quail eggs contains some sexual hormones which can enhance the sexual organs function such as prostate gland in male.
23. Treat gastritis
Quail egg contains anti-inflammatory properties that can help in treating stomach ulcer or gastritis. The amino acid content of quail egg also help in repair the broken lining of stomach that caused by infection.
24. Cough and Asthma Remedy
Quail eggs have been used for eons to treat various remedies such as asthma and coughs. Not only that, they have been used since ancient civilization to treat psoriasis and eczema. The beneficial qualities of quail eggs have led to the commercialization of the eggs. You can obtain the benefits the quail eggs in capsules.(11)
Benefits of Quail Eggs for kids
Due to the essential nutrient contents, quail eggs offer plenty of health benefits to your child.
1. Improves Immunity & Memory
Quail eggs are known to help your child grow a strong defense system and immunity. These eggs help in increasing the level of hemoglobin and also help your child’s body to get rid of the toxins and any other metal compounds. Quail eggs also take care of your child’s kidney, liver and gallbladder. If your child is suffering constantly from different forms of allergies and ailments then offering him/her with quail eggs will definitely help in the cause of preventing them.
Quail eggs are also known to increase brain activity and improve the sense of memory. Introducing quail eggs in your child’s regular diet might help him/her score higher in the class quizzes.
2. Cures Cough and Asthma
Does your child suffer constantly from cough and asthma related problems? Then it is about time you consult your pediatrician and ask for his/her suggestion for introducing quail egg to your child. Quail eggs contain the vital nutrients which will help your child fight repetitive problems of cough and asthma. Also the high protein contents helps in boosting the overall immunity of your child.
3. Boosts the formation of Red Blood Cells
Iron rich food alternatives like quail eggs boost the formation of red blood cells in your child. Also at the same time, the presence of essential minerals like potassium in quail eggs essentially helps your child maintain a healthy growth rate of bones, teeth and nail.
4. Reduces Chances of Terminal Illness
Quail eggs are indeed super-food for your little ones as they often tend to curb any potential chance of causing terminal illness, in the form of heart diseases, arthritis and even cancer, in your child. You might not even know that your child is suffering from low level of potassium intake and that eventually leads to such terminal illnesses in the later stages of their lives. However, daily or regular intake of quail eggs will boost that extra level of potassium in your child’s body and will eliminate any chances of terminal diseases from its very root.
How to Consume Quail Eggs
When you want to promote your general health, it is recommended to eat them in raw form. The raw egg has stronger health benefits than cooked one.
Remember to wash them carefully and if possible in boiling water. A raw egg is not very tasteful; mix it to an orange, mango or pineapple juice to make it more pleasant.
These eggs have high content of lysozyme that helps to kill harmful bacteria thus they are resistant to infections. So do not worry when you eat them in raw form.
How to Eat
You can enjoy the delicate taste of boil egg by making its as many dishes such as omelet, or use is as substitute of chicken egg in many other dish that require egg.
Add some quail egg on your soup, stew or even salad to get more benefits.
You can serve it in many ways including boiled, pan fried or even baked.
The small quail eggs are cooked hard or semi-hard and mixed into salads or aspic foods.
It is also excellent for poached egg.
Traditional Uses and benefits of Quail Egg
Chinese use quail eggs to help treat tuberculosis, asthma, and even diabetes.
If you are a sufferer of kidney, liver, or gallbladder stones quail eggs can help prevent and remove these types of stones.
A whipped egg applied to the hair, leaves it looking shiny, glossy and adds volume to the hair.
Other Facts
Experts say children eating quail egg are less inclined to suffer from infectious diseases.
Quail egg nutritional value is three to four times greater than chicken eggs.
Quail Egg is almost twice smaller than chicken egg.
Its shell also can be made as ornaments, just like the ostrich eggs are.
Certain species of quails have plume (also known as topknot), shaped like a teardrop, on top of the head. It bobs when bird is walking.
Quails are able to fly short distances, but they spend most of their time on the ground.
Quails can be active during the day (diurnal animals) or night (nocturnal animals), depending on the species.
Quail is an omnivore (eats other animals and plants). Its diet consists mainly of seeds, leaves, wheat, barley, berries and occasionally from grasshoppers and worms.
Quails produce high pitched sounds, cackles and grunts that are used for communication.
Quails bath in the dust to eliminate pest from the feathers and to keep their plumage clean.
Female lays from 1 to 12 (usually 6) brightly colored eggs that hatch after incubation period of 23 days.
They look dead when they sleep.
Female quails start laying eggs within their 6 to 7 weeks of age and continuously lay one egg daily.
You can raise 6 to 7 quails in the same place that is required for one chicken.
Side Effects
There is no side effect reported after consumption of quail egg including allergic reaction, since quail egg is save and doesn’t rise any allergic reaction. But even so, it is suggested to not consume quail egg more than twenty eggs per day.
Quail Facts
Quail is a bird that belongs to the pheasant family (even though they do not look alike, quails and pheasants are closely related). These birds originate from North America, but they can be found in Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and South America today. There are 32 species of quails that differ in size, color and type of habitat where they can be found. Quail lives in woodlands, areas covered with bushes and open spaces. Some species of quails are hunted as game birds, or because of their meat (that is highly prized in some countries) and feathers (that is used for decoration). Quails can be tamed and kept as poultry that produce eggs of high quality. Habitat destruction and uncontrolled hunt negatively affect number of quails in the wild. Some species of quails are listed as endangered due to these factors.
Name
Quail
Scientific Name
Coturnix coturnix
Native
Originate from North America, but they can be found in Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and South America
Common Names
Common Quail, coturnix quail, Migratory Quail, quail
