Goose or duck foie gras?

Goose or duck, it's mostly a story of taste: the Goose Foie Gras has a firmer texture and its color is paler. It lends itself more to sophisticated recipes with alcohol and spices (without heavy hand ...). The duck foie gras has a more assertive and rustic character. It can even be stamped with a PGI (protected geographical indication), specific to the South West which guarantees a corn feed in particular.

Goose Foie Gras is heavier: between 600 and 700 g against 450 to 600 g for duck Foie Gras. It's a good average, a guarantee of quality. But, beware, too big, the Liver will disgorge a lot of fat and there will be less after cooking. In terms of regulation, to qualify as Foie Gras , goose must weigh at least 400 g and duck liver 300 g.

Finally, according to the purists, the best (and the most expensive ...) is Goose Foie Gras (between 35 and 50 € per kilo against 10 € less for the duck).

Block of Foie Gras or whole?

When a Foie Gras displays " whole " on its packaging, it means that it comes from one and the same animal. It's the most expensive.

If it is simply stated " Foie Gras ", there may be several pieces of assembled lobes . When we cut it, we also see mottling, pretty aesthetic.

Finally, a block of Foie Gras is a reconstituted liver.

Price side, it goes decrescendo according to these 3 categories. A reassuring point: whatever the category, these products are 100% Foie Gras. If there is a mixture with another product (a duck terrine with pieces of Liver, for example), we go out of the Foie Gras category.

Foie gras lobe raw or already cooked?

The interest of raw foie gras is to prepare it yourself. It's easy and it's cheaper (about 50 € per kilo for a duck foie gras, against 80 € or even more for a half-cooked). In this case we are dealing with a "whole" Foie Gras. To choose it, it must not have a task and be a little flexible if you put your finger on it (without it marks).

When the foie gras is already cooked: it can be half-cooked (or semi-preserved), it is cooked between 60 and 85 ° C and can be preserved about 6 months if it is in glass jar or 21 days he is sous-vide. Canned (often glass), it is cooked at 110 ° C and can be kept for several years (about 4 years) knowing that it improves with time because its fat is distributed better and it gives it an extra creaminess.

What is the difference between an Extra Foie Gras or 1st choice?

These terms are especially to take into account when you buy a raw Foie Gras because it determines their use. The category of "extra" Foie Gras is a little elite. We reserve it especially for terrines. When there is a Foie Gras ^"1st choice" (a little cheaper, about 5 euros less in kilograms), it is likely to have some micro-tasks of blood, rather it is intended to be pan-fried or even canned. If neither of these two mentions is specified, it is a Foie Gras "all coming" or "TV".

On which sites to buy?

If we find a lot of interesting producers sites, here are some sites where Foies Gras, already prepared, are of quality:

• The Ried foie gras that delivers everywhere in France from Alsace (we receive his package the next day by chronopost before 13h).
• Bernard Bringel : Alsatian Foies Gras (the other big region producing foie gras) already cooked and seasoned. A good price-performance ratio.
• Coudray-Ozbolt and its award-winning Foies Gras from Burgundy from € 18.90 the terrine of 100 g of Goose Foie Gras salt and pepper.
• Maison Lafitte, established in the moors since 1920, offers a wide variety of products for all budgets.
• The confidential address, Ferme Descoubet , in the Gers. A family transmits its know-how and passion, we can also go taste on site since they are table and bed and breakfast.
  
  Tip: it is better to order several to reduce the shipping costs between 6 and 10 €.

And the supermarket Foies Gras, is it worth it?

Sometimes yes. To find raw, we combine the weight (around 500 g), the mention "extra" IGP. Side Foie Gras prepared, at Leclerc, the duck foie gras whole South West old stamped "Our regions have talent" is € 19.75 the jar of 300g. Taste at the drafting of Benefits, he was unanimous. Finally, if you're late for its Christmas Eve shopping, Montfort Terrine Foie Gras , sold everywhere in supermarkets, remains a good compromise quality-price.