Brains Cervelles

Appears in
Cuisine Foundations
Cuisine Foundations

By Le Cordon Bleu

Published 2010

  • About

The brain is the most nutrient-rich organ in the body of a mammal. Brain matter also possesses healthy cholesterol that assists the human body in the development of essential hormones. The brain contains DHA or docosahexaenoic acid, an omega-3 fatty acid that is critical to the optimal functioning of the brain. Eating foods that are DHA rich is also thought to reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s, age-related macular degeneration, and dementia in the elderly.

Considered a white offal, the brain is one of the most delicate types of offal. Lamb’s brains are the most popular. They are light pink in color and weigh around 3.5 oz (100 g) each. Sheep’s brains are somewhat larger at about 5 oz (150 g), and veal brains are considerably larger at about 9 to 10.5 oz (250 to 300 g).