Ostrich eggs arrive in selected Waitrose branches.

Giant British ostrich eggs are making their annual appearance exclusively at selected Waitrose branches this week - perfect timing if you're preparing a big breakfast or brunch this weekend.

Weighing in at a mighty 2 kg (4.4lbs), one ostrich egg is equivalent to 24 large hen eggs. It takes 50 minutes to perfectly boil an ostrich egg, which makes a wonderful centrepiece with toast or asparagus soldiers.

The ostrich eggs are laid seasonally on a farm in Lincolnshire and the birds are precise in the manner in which they lay them.  The dominant female will lay around 7-10 eggs in the centre of the nest and the other females place their eggs to the outside. Both the female and male birds take turns to incubate the eggs, which can take up to 42 days.

Ostrich eggs are part of Waitrose's range of speciality eggs - the largest selection available at a UK supermarket - which includes delicate Quails eggs, Braddock Whites duck eggs and Old Cotswold Legbars hen eggs.

Jay Ledwich, egg buyer at Waitrose said, “Our customers love to eggs-periment with different ingredients. Although traditional hen's eggs are a shopping list staple, our range of speciality eggs make a lovely treat.  Our ostrich or ducks eggs are perfect for a big birthday breakfast or weekend brunch.”

Last month the supermarket introduced Cornish Blue Duck Eggs, from wild mallard ducks on a Cornish farm, which are available until mid-June, priced at £2.75 (6 eggs).  Also in the range are turkey eggs, which are available until mid-August, priced at £2.99 (2 eggs).

Waitrose boasts the largest selection of speciality eggs on supermarket shelves.  Quail's eggs are available all year and the rarer eggs are available in selected branches for a few months at a time.  The Clarence Court Ostrich egg is £19.99 and The Clarence Court Goose Egg is £6.99 each.

-Ends-

Notes to Editors:

*Suggested cooking times

Soft Boiled:                                                              
Quail: 1 min                                                            
Duck/ Large Hen Egg: 3½-4 mins                        
Goose Egg: 9-10 mins                                      
Ostrich Egg: 50 mins                                            
 
Hard Boiled:
Quail: 2 ½ mins
Duck/ Large Hen Eggs: 9-10mins
Goose Eggs: 13 mins
Ostrich Eggs: 1½ -2 hours

Waitrose specialty eggs include:
Quail Eggs    
Old Cotswold Legbars
Burford Browns
Blacktail
Clarence Court Braddock Whites
Clarence Court British Ready to Eat Quail's Eggs
Clarence Court Ostrich Egg
Clarence Court Goose Egg
 
About Waitrose eggs
·         All of Waitrose eggs are produced under the Red Lion scheme
·         All of Waitrose eggs are free range
·         All of Waitrose hen's eggs are laid in Britain on farms they know and trust
 
Waitrose organic chickens are fed an organic diet from hatching and Waitrose non-organic hens are fed using feed made from GM free soya meal.