For any true wing lover, there is nothing like the scrumptious, greasy goodness of a plate of Buffalo wings. But when it comes to deciding whether you prefer drums or flats, the wing lovers of the world are split. Drums, also known as drummies or wingettes, resemble smaller versions of chicken legs and contain more meat than their flat counterparts. They have a large center bone, making them easy to hold in one hand and perfect for dipping.
Flats, on the other hand, are a bit more difficult to eat, as they require you to fish out meat from between their bones. This can be a pain for some people, and it’s not ideal for those who aren’t fond of touching cartilage or the idea of pulling out their blood vein while eating (which, let’s be honest, happens to all of us at least once while eating a plate of wings). Additionally, because they have less skin, flats can sometimes feel a little undercooked when dipped in sauce.
Despite their shortcomings, there are many reasons why people love drums. Some cite their flavor, saying that drums have more flavor than flats because of the amount of slow-twitch muscle fibers they contain. Others like their size, saying that they are easier to eat because you can get a lot of meat in one bite. Finally, those who prefer drums argue that their larger size makes them better suited to dipping, as they have more surface area for sauce.
There are also plenty of reasons why people choose flats over drums, and most of these are pretty similar to the ones mentioned by those who favor drums. People who enjoy flats often cite their texture and the fact that they don’t have as much meat as the drums. Additionally, they say that they are more easily eaten by young children, and that they have less gristle than drums.
In a recently conducted survey by Hidden Valley Ranch, it was found that people who choose drums actually make up the minority of wing eaters. In fact, the majority of respondents chose flats — which is probably not a surprise to anyone who’s ever debated the topic over a pint of Blue Moon and a few shots of Jack Daniel’s. Ultimately, though, it’s all about what you prefer and how you feel about the two types of wings. So go ahead and pick your favorite — just be sure to take care not to pull out your blood vein while doing it!