What Does Duck Taste Like: Taste and Preparation
Everyone is familiar with duck, but for many who have yet to try this succulent meat, the question remains: what does duck taste like? Even though duck is poultry, the taste of duck meat is not comparable to chicken or turkey. It is more similar to red meats and game.
Duck Taste & Flavor
As said before, duck has a strong flavor, closer to red meat than chicken, for example. It is also fattier and, if cooked the right way, it has a delicious taste that’s tender, moist, and fatty—the perfect protein combination for meat lovers.
Ducks’ skin is a lot thicker and fattier than turkey or chicken. For a mouth-watering taste, the secret is to crisp the skin while cooking it. However, if the duck is not prepared correctly, then the fat will create an unpleasant rubbery texture.
Duck is also versatile; you can use the leftover fat for cooking other meats and vegetables—a true delight for your palate.
Wild or Farmed Duck?
Wild duck is more flavorful. Wild ducks are able to roam and eat a greater variety of foods. They are also able to fly, and sometimes make long flights. This means they build lean, strong muscles.
A farmed duck, on the other hand, does not experience the same extreme environment. Therefore, it will be less fatty and the meat will have a different texture altogether.
Farmed ducks, however, will be fattier, and their meat will have a different texture. Wild duck is tastier without a doubt. However, if you can’t find it locally, farmed duck is also a delicious alternative.
Types of Duck
While taste and flavor are a crucial factor to consider, it’s also essential to learn about the different types of duck to make the best of your meal preparation process.
The Long Island Duck or Perkin Duck
This one of the most popular because it has a mild flavor, so it’s perfect for those exploring this poultry for the first time. The Long Island Duck is ideal for roasting, and it can also be served skinless for those who need to cut back the calories.
Mulard Duck
The Mulard duck is a much bigger duck with a generous breast. It also has more fat, which, some might agree, makes it more flavorful. It’s the perfect duck to serve if you’re feeding a larger family or you have guests over. They will relish the mouth-watering and succulent texture.
Muscovy Duck
This one is mostly popular in Europe. The Muscovy duck is lower in fat, has a thinner skin, and has a deeper red meat than the rest. Its carcass is also larger, so it will cost a bit more.
How to Prepare and Store Duck To Maintain Flavor
Don’t worry if you’re not a chef or a professional cook. With a bit of guidance and a few tips, anyone can prepare and store duck successfully. There are countless amazing recipes online; however, before you muster the determination to prepare your duck, you should know how to store it.
The best way to store duck is to put it in the freezer at 0 degrees Fahrenheit. This is because when it’s frozen, it maintains structure better compared to chicken or turkey.
When defrosting duck, you should put it in the refrigerator. Expect to leave it overnight if you’re defrosting duck breast and two days if you’re defrosting an entire duck. If you’d like to make the process quicker, you can soak it in cold water, but change the water every 30 minutes.
Is Duck a Popular Choice?
Over time duck has become a favorite among Americans. In fact, consumption increased by more than 35% between 1995 and 2005, which speaks volumes about its popularity. Statistics aside, duck is a great source of selenium and zinc, which helps with cellular metabolism.
So it’s no wonder that duck has wowed the market and more and more people are enjoying it.
Give Duck Meat a Try
Duck is a great, rich, juicy, and much more flavorful alternative to chicken or turkey. While it is a fattier meat, it is still a great dish to enjoy occasionally.
Moreover, compared to other poultry meats, it has more health benefits and is richer in vitamins and minerals. In short, a much more flavorful version that will enchant your taste buds and palate.
Please find below a few of our favorite duck recipes:
Related: Smoked Duck Salad with Feta & Blackberry Sauce
Related: French Roast Duck with Orange Sauce
Related: Duck Breast with Potatoes, Spinach and Berry Sauce
