Emus are the second-largest living bird in the world, after the ostrich. They can grow up to six and a half feet tall. Often confused with ostriches, emus are found in Australia, while ostriches are native to Africa. Both birds are part of the ratite family, a group of birds who can’t fly. In recent years, both emu and ostrich eggs have been turning up in grocery stores and restaurants in the U.S., and it looks like the emu egg may finally be having its moment.
A $30 egg at the grocery store or $90 egg dish at a restaurant sounds pretty outrageous (or just right for NYC prices, depending on how you look at it), but emu eggs aren’t just any ordinary chicken egg.