Ostrich meat anyone?

[Kay]

I'm about to write a blog posting about ostrich meat for Not Delia. It's cheap and easy to get here - much cheaper than beef, in fact. But I wondered if it's still considered to be an 'exotic' meat in the UK.

I did a bit of searching and it didn't seem to be available to buy online from any of the major supermarkets. I did, however, find a few specialist companies who sell it.

Just out of interest, and to help me with the article I'm going to write, if you have time can you please tell me:

Have you ever eaten ostrich meat? Would you eat it? Would eating it be outside your comfort zone? Have I got the right or wrong impression in thinking it's still considered to be an 'exotic' meat in the UK?

It's not a proper survey but I'd be very happy to receive any comments on the subject.

Thanks in advance.

[fundingportal]

Hi Kay

Ostrich meat was sold in all the major supermarkets and was widely billed as the 'healthy' alternative to beef and game. (apparently far lower in fat and cholesterol)

I and many people I know did and would eat it, particularly as a barbeque product.(Interestingly Kangaroo meat had a fleeting popularity at the same time).

I think I'm right in saying that it's demise was mainly related to some major frauds in the ostrich farming world, rather than lack of demand.

[Kay]

That's very interesting, thanks. Now you mention it, I do remember lots of promotions selling shares in ostrich farms many years ago. Now there's a good angle to look at too.

[matt.chatterley]

Interesting to hear that might be why it vanished - I did wonder!

I certainly don't have any problem with Ostrich or most other 'alternative' meats, although admittedly, we eat more fish (mind you, living on a smallish Island, that makes sense).

[Kay]

Yes, I agree! It's an interesting subject. I'd started off just thinking about people's attitudes to ostrich meat and wondering if the supply had dried up because of lack of demand. But fundingportal's comments gave me a heads up to delve into the economics - and the past scams - too.

With any luck I should get that article posted today, maybe tomorrow.

[trevorwood]

I first had ostrich meat in South Africa where they mix it with pork for a brai (BBQ). They do this to add some fat so that it'll cook better.

On Saturday we bought some ostrich burgers from the Farmers market in town for a BBQ we went to in the evening - I think it was better with the pork

[Kay]

Thanks, Trevor. Pork fat - great idea. I don't like fat very much, in that I wouldn't eat it just like I wouldn't drink olive oil, but it makes a heck of a difference in the cooking process.

I save the raw fatty bits of bacon and use them when I'm frying other things, such as squid. And now I've got an idea for Not Delia's next adventure - an article about fat.

[trevorwood]

Sorry - they dons add pork fat, they add pork because of the fat in it, so you get ostrich and pork burgers

[Kay]

Ah, thanks for the clarification.

Despite not liking fat itself, I know it's essential for certain cooking processes. I mean you need some fat for casseroles and other slow-cook foods. It all renders down and adds tastiness.

I always make my own mince and have found that a little bit of fat does help the subsequent cooking process.

Ostrich fillet is very lean and could be used just like fillet steak. Therefore I wouldn't make mince - or burgers - out of it. It's just the wrong sort of cut. Adding something fattier would definitely help, and pork seems to go well with most things.

Mmmm! Pork. It's my favourite meat.

[NikkiPilkington]

I think ostrich is still regarded as quite exotic in the UK, but the foodie magazines do talk abuout it as low in fat and more healthy.

I also seem to recall it's a lot more expensive, so that may be why it's not eaten as much (although here in France it's the same price as veal, which is only marginally more expensive than lamb and chicken).

[Kay]

Thanks, Nikki.

I guess the relative cost of things would be important to people. The online UK suppliers I found were offering it for about £28 per kilo, whereas we're getting it for about £8 a kilo and it's much nicer than the beef anyway.

BTW, I've published the article now (and a fairly crap fast food ostrich recipe).

[Label King]

I eat ostrich meat (and wild boar), both purchased online and both are delicious... where do you get yours from then at that price?

[Kay]

I mostly get it from Carrefour (French) supermarket in Thailand. It comes from a Thai ostrich farm so the costs are lower probably because of the relatively low labour costs.

I've had wild boar too but I'm not so keen on it. When I've had it in restaurants it's been quite tough and chewy. Maybe I should try to buy some raw and have a go at cooking it myself.

[NikkiPilkington]

And don't forget to give horse a try - cooked slowly and properly it's really nice, and cheaper than beef here in France

[Kay]

Thanks, Nikki. I have tried horse - in France, funnily enough. I think I was kinda put off it just by the fact that it was horse. But I've eaten much stranger things (it always helps if you've had a few beers first ). Ants taste nice with garlic and chilli. I nearly threw up after trying to eat grasshoppers, though. Unfortunately no one thought to tell me you have to peel them first.

[Mark CP]

must admit other than my local butchers (Franks in Rothwell for any Northamptonshire folk!) who stocks ostrich, amongst other obscure things, I’ve found it a bugger to source anywhere.

I think it still has something of a exotic rep and I know a few people who've struggled cooking it as due to its lean nature it cooks very differently to beef steak but cooked properly its absolutely lovely

[Mark]

Monkey
Rat
Snake
Horse
Dolphin
Turtle
Crocodile
Ostrich
Impala
Giraffe
Elephant

All good.

Croc's my favourite by far.

I won't eat shark out of principle though...

[fundingportal]

Being in the money business, eating shark would be tantamount to canibalism!

[Kay]

Hah! You missed dog. I'm pretty sure I ate dog in Vietnam but I can't be sure. I must admit there's a few on your list, Mark, that I've not had (yet!).

Have I missed something political about shark meat? I used to buy and eat it when I lived in London. Shark's fin, yes, it's a Bad Thing, when they throw all the rest of the shark away. But a bog-standard shark steak from a fish monger? Why not? (Hey! Maybe another article idea for Not Delia. )

That reminds me, I told someone I'd eat jellyfish and report back to them, but I've not since been to anywhere that has jellyfish on the menu.

[Mark]

My 'issue' with sharks is that not only are they an endangered species, and not to mention the fin thing above, people seem to think it's ok to arbitrarily kill them because they eat people. Well, would a shark walking down the high street not expect to receive at least good kicking?

I eat the dolphin out of principle (one for the sharks!)

[Kay]

Hmm, very interesting.

My gut feeling is to argue with you, but without the facts I won't even start.

[NikkiPilkington]

I'm with Kay, but have no time today LOL

[Gorgeous Office]

Hi,

I've had ostrich meat and can get it on a regular basis (its delicious) because our local butcher stocks it. He also does crocodile steaks and kangaroo burgers but markets them all as 'exotic meats'.

It doesn't put me off as I love trying new things, but I think some people associate 'exotic meat' with 'expensive meat' when in fact its not.

[Kay]

Gee, much as I hate to admit to being wrong (because I am a woman and therefore always right) Mark is quite correct on the issue of sharks.

Not Delia: The great shark feeding frenzy

[GekkoHQ]

I've had ostrich, as well as crocodile, zebra and a few others. I think it's all about trying something different rather than eating most of these for the taste. I wasn't a massive fan of the Zebra or croc, but the Ostrich was superb. Thoroughly enjoyable!

Gekko - Personalised Hotel & Restaurant Recommendations - Spot on