01 Oct Marketing Share: Debunking Common Gizzard Misconceptions
Gizzards can be a taboo topic. You may even face judgement or high levels of confusion for bringing up the topic of eating gizzards. The word itself is bizarre, but sometimes the wonders can be found in the strangest of places.
There are lots of mixed opinions on gizzards. Unfortunately, most of the negative opinions about gizzards are held by people who have never eaten them, and don’t even know what they are. We’re here to bring awareness to all of the great things that gizzards have to offer, and to make them more of a staple protein pick.
Why Gizzards Seem So Outlandish
Think back to when you were young. You probably ate the same thing that most young people eat, chicken nuggets, macaroni and cheese, ice cream, etc. If someone had offered you chicken gizzards you probably would have been grossed out by the proposal. The reasoning behind that feeling? Ignorance. You merely just didn’t know what they were or how they would taste.
So What Are Gizzards?
The gizzard is an organ found in the digestive tract of some animals like certain types of poultry, fish, crustaceans, and worms.
What Do Gizzards Do?
The gizzard is used in the process of digestion to help break down food in animals that do not have teeth, or other ways of manually breaking down their own food. It actually collects pebbles, grit, and sand that the chicken has consumed and uses them in conjunction with digestive enzymes to break down food.
Why Haven’t You Heard of Them?
When’s the last time you saw a tv advertisement for gizzards of any kind? I don’t think I’ve ever seen one. When’s the last time you saw a depiction of a family, or anyone for that matter, eating gizzards on any entertainment platform. Probably never.
There is an extreme omission and complete disregard of gizzards in the media because of the negative stigma that surrounds the product. The first step to helping more people enjoy the delicious taste, and health benefits of gizzards is to normalize the product and clear up these misconceptions.
Here are some of the most common misconceptions about chicken gizzards, and the truth behind them.
1) They’re gross!
You should never judge a book by its cover. Most things you put in your body have looked unappetizing at some point. The next time somebody tells you that chicken gizzards are gross, you should ask them, “Have you ever tried them?”
This is the biggest problem surrounding chicken gizzards; the rumor that they’re gross, or taste bad. However, the majority of the people who say that have never tasted them, and are afraid to. Don’t let fear keep you from trying new things, because like chicken gizzards, they might be great!
2) They’re not meant to be eaten!
This is just outright false! As a matter of fact, in some cultures they are a delicacy. Any muscle of a chicken is edible. This includes the heart, the liver, and the gizzard. Gizzards can be cooked in a variety of healthy and tasty ways. Give it a shot and try it for yourself, we’re sure you’ll like them!
3) They’re not good for you!
Chicken gizzards actually have many health benefits. They are packed with protein, and important vitamins and minerals. In just a single cup serving of chicken gizzards you can find 44g of protein, 25% of your daily value of vitamin B12, 23% of your daily value of niacin, 18% of your daily value of riboflavin, 43% of your daily value of zinc, and 27% of your daily value of iron and phosphorus.
These components help your body form red blood cells, produce energy, keep your skin and hair healthy, and help encourage the proper functioning of your nervous system and your heart.
If you’re interested in learning more about chicken gizzards and how to market them to new and existing consumers in a positive light, check out our latest free guide, Marketing Your Chicken Gizzards.
At Delong’s we understand the in’s-and-out’s of the poultry industry, especially gizzards. We hope that our knowledge, passion, and dedication to our work in the poultry field will help continue the advancement of poultry consumption in today’s society.
With decades of experience, we are the leading experts on the gizzard production process. We hope that our expertise and insight in the industry provides our clients with useful information and equipment to maximize profitability and increase product yield. For more information about how DeLong’s Gizzard Equipment can help you, request a free consultation today or give us a call at (800) 422-9134.
