What Does Goose Taste Like?

What Does Goose Taste Like?

Almost everyone eats chicken or turkey meat. We all love the way it tastes. There is a better bird out there that is more interesting than the common chicken and turkey due to the way it is obtained, a luxury that has been associated with it, and its taste. The goose is a bird from the waterfowl species. It is the female bird in the pair, the male bird is known as Gander.

Goose is not so popular in this part of the world but is beginning to get some recognition. In other parts of the world, goose meat is well known and eaten regularly. Goose is a wild bird that is usually hunted down. But, there is a domesticated species that is raised for poultry meat.

What does goose taste like? Goose has two times more flavor than chicken. It is juicy, tender, and contains more fat so it tastes better than chicken meat. Comparing the taste of goose to chicken or turkey is a poor comparison. In terms of taste, it tastes more like beef or moose meat. It looks like it and bears a semblance in flavor.

Goose is bigger than the chicken. The average goose weighs about 11 pounds and can feed 6 people, according to data gotten from the Huffington Post.

Nutritional Benefits of Goose

Goose meat is an excellent source of nutrients that can prove to be beneficial to the human body. It is an excellent source of protein. Protein is responsible for bodybuilding and keeps our skin and muscles from damage. Protein is an essential nutrient for the human body. It can also help to increase metabolism, help prevent anemia and loss of muscle mass.

Goose meat is an excellent source of minerals like iron. It contains more iron than beef, pork, or chicken. Iron aids the circulation of blood in the human body. Proper circulation of blood means more energy to carry out daily activities. It also helps to increase the overall strength and stress tolerance of the body.

Vitamins are also present in goose meat. To be precise, the vitamins present in goose meat are B vitamins. These vitamins are responsible for the conversion of energy from the food we eat. They are also vital for the growth of healthy skin, hair, muscles, and nerves. 

Goose lay eggs, their hatchlings are known as goslings. These eggs are also nutritious. They are a great source of omega 3 fats, iron, folate, vitamin A, D, & B, folate, and protein. The eggs also contain a small amount of calcium which is great for optimal bone density.

Culinary Uses of Goose

Like any other meat, goose can be grilled, stuffed and baked, cooked into soups and stews, pan-fried, or deep-fried. There are so many culinary applications that goose meat fits into. 

There are two varieties of goose. The wild variant and the domesticated variant. The wild variant is deemed to be a luxury of some kind because it is harder to procure. The wild goose’s lifestyle and choice of food make its meat a little bit different from the domesticated variant.

According to TexasMonthly, the wild goose is a game bird that should be enjoyed in its most natural form. Which is preparation at high heat for a short time without the addition of sauces. Most chefs won’t agree with this because the wild goose is deemed to be an unclean bird that needs to cook for hours in the oven to get rid of germs and some other unknowns.

Goose meat can be used in gravy. You can have breast cut off, and use the slab of meat for other various ventures. The meat can be seared and eaten like rare steak. When cooking goose meat, you have to watch it carefully so it doesn’t get overcooked.

Where Does Goose Come From? How Do You Procure It?

Goose is hunted by bird hunters in various parts of the world. Texas is one of the areas in the United States with an abundance of waterfowls. In winter, which is when the hunting season begins, hunters traverse the forests as huge flocks of geese and ducks migrate to Canada and the Arctic. Back in the Stone Age, and early civilization, goose hunting was a survival act. But now, goose hunting is a luxury and is done as a leisure activity.

The domestication of goose took place in Egypt around 3000 years ago. But researchers claim that it might have happened even earlier. Goose is one of the first animals to be domesticated. 

Since its domestication, the goose has not been exploited for commercial purposes like the chicken has been. Goose can be found anywhere in the world. It might be hard to find them in desert climates where there are no large water bodies or swamps. If you cannot hunt for your geese, you can buy the domesticated variant from poultry farms.

Which Tastes Better: Duck or Goose?

Goose is like a juicier version of duck. The meat is crispier and it packs more flavor. Goose meat tastes better than duck meat and is a favorite in many restaurants.

Facts You Don’t Know About Goose

  • Geese are loud birds and can be very aggressive towards other animals. To protect their young they will attack humans or other animals. They would even go against their natural predators and fight to the death if they have to.
  • A goose has a life span of 10 to 24 years in the right living conditions.
  • Geese are birds with very low divorce rates. They find a partner and mate for life. 
  • Larger birds choose larger birds as mates. But in a pair, the Gander is usually larger than the goose.