Poultry meat has been a constant staple in our kitchens.
The chicken’s been making the most regular trips to our stove stops and ovens, while the turkey is customary during Thanksgiving.
But have you ever thought of substituting them with something else, say a peacock?
That gives rise to the question at hand. What does peacock taste like?
But before we get there, one must know that not all peacocks are edible.
Some are under strict protection, and it is illegal to eat them, such as the green peacock.
On the other hand, you can raise the blue peacock and eat them as well.
Peacocks don’t come as affordable as chicken, but many say they taste more tender and tasty.
What Is a Peacock?
The peacock is a species of the Phasianidae family, which includes other species such as quail, turkey, chicken, pheasants, and the like.
The male is called a peacock, and the female is a peahen.
The most known species are the green and blue peacock. But then there is another one called the Congo peafowl.
The male ones have extravagant feathers displaying hues of blues and greens, while peahens are mostly grey and brown.
The peacocks use their vibrant feathers to attract mates.
The peacock is an omnivore and feeds on plants, insects, and small animals.
They grow to be as big as 130 cm tall and can weigh up to 14 lbs when fully grown.
National Geographic claims it to be one of the hugest birds with flight.
They usually like to stay at a height such as trees and roofs.
What Does Peacock Taste Like? Does Peacock Taste Good?
The peacock, or peafowl, a colloquial name for both genders, tastes like chicken.
While some claim that it tastes like a turkey when brined, others compare the taste to the guinea pig.
The truth is its taste is closest to pheasant or turkey. Although this majestic bird can be taboo as a meal on a plate, it is a delicacy in some parts of the world and is quite expensive.
Besides the meat, the peahen eggs are also edible, and they taste a lot like chicken eggs.
Peafowl or peacock meat offers various nutrients. And like chicken and other poultry meat, peafowl is an incredible source of protein.
They also contain minerals and vitamins such as Potassium, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12, Iron, Magnesium, Zinc, and Niacin.
It may not come pretty, especially when skinned, but it sure does provide fantastic health benefits.
The vitamins and minerals in peacock help promote several health advantages.
The bird’s breast maintains heart health, phosphorous strengthening bones and teeth, selenium improves metabolism and immunity.
Niacin keeps cancer at bay, and the meat can be comfort food to fight stress.
As compared to other bird meats like chicken and turkey, the peacock has a higher quantity of the nutrients mentioned above.
The meat is also relatively low in cholesterol, making it ideal for a weight loss diet.
How To Prepare Peacock?
Well, you would cook a peacock just as you would any other bird such as chicken, turkey, quail, or pheasants.
It is a lean bird and needs slow and moist cooking to get the best results.
You can also make a stock out of it with its bones and scrap after cutting it into several portions.
Cooking the breasts of a peacock can be tricky since they aren’t as fatty and not too ideal for slow cooking. But you can roast it, making the skin crispy.
Then you may slice it into thin portions, but chances are they won’t be as tender but more on the tough side.
Another way to treat tough meat is to dice the breast and add other alternatives to fat such as milk or cream.
Or you could grind the meat and mix it with bread crumbs along with milk and eggs to make meatballs.
The legs of the peacock are bony and fatty, ideal to confit.
You may season the legs according to your taste and let them sit for the night.
Cook the legs the next day for about 3 hours to get tender and juicy meat.
Other parts of the peacock, such as the head, feet, guts, and neck, can undergo roasting.
You can soak the innards with milk and forcemeat and grind them the next day to make sausage.
Conclusion
The peacock is a majestic and exotic bird and quite rich in nutrients.
While it offers various health advantages, it also makes for a sumptuous meal as long as you cook it appropriately and right seasonings, you are sure to extract its great taste.
If you haven’t tried it before, you may not get enough of it once you do.
What Does Peacock Taste Like? Does Peacock Taste Good?
Ingredients
- Peacock meat
- Ingredients from your favorite recipes
Instructions
- Depending on the recipes you choose, the taste can vastly differ.
- For authentic results, it is important to choose a recipe that will highlight the original flavor.
- Have fun experimenting with different recipes and taste tests!
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