What Is Quail?

Small, tender, aromatic: This is how the quail presents itself on the plate. Poultry is a true delicacy that is worth discovering. Our product information reveals what you should pay attention to when buying, storing, and preparing the field chicken.

Interesting facts about quail

Only about the size of blackbirds, quail are a big hit on gourmet plates. Due to their fine wild aroma and tender meat, quails are considered a delicacy and are becoming more and more popular in Germany. Although the bird also occurs in the wild in this country, hunting the partridge is prohibited. The Japanese laying quail is the most common breeding breed: it is kept both for laying eggs and for meat production. A hen of the breed, which comes in various colors from white to black, yields up to 300 eggs annually. The black speckled quail eggs also have a slight taste of the game and are also visual highlights.

Purchasing and storage

Quail can be bought fresh or frozen all year round from breeders and delicatessens. Since the poultry is ready for slaughter from the fifth week of life, there is no lack of supply. Quail eggs are now also available in well-stocked supermarkets, especially at Easter. The weight of each ready-to-cook animal is around 150 grams, with breast meat accounting for a high proportion of up to 40 percent. You should calculate with two quails per person. Fresh meat can be kept in the refrigerator for a maximum of two days – pay attention to the usual kitchen hygiene for poultry and process the animals as quickly as possible.

Cooking tips for quail

As a rule, quails are roasted, grilled, or cooked in the oven as a whole: This is the best way to bring out the natural taste of the meat. This makes the preparation very easy: you only have to rinse the animal inside and then outside and pat dry. It is important not to cook the tender breasts for too long, otherwise, the meat can dry out. A few minutes in the pan is enough, in the oven basting with stock helps. Another popular recipe is the stuffed quail: mushrooms, bacon, ham, foie gras, and other ingredients are mixed with bread cubes and eggs and stuffed into the breast. Serve with root vegetables, potatoes, mushrooms, or pasta as side dishes. As a drink, it is best to choose a wine that goes well with game dishes.