CHINESE TEA EGGS

Tea eggs are a traditional Chinese snack enjoyed by many as a breakfast item. They are known for their rich flavor infused with the aroma and taste of tea. Tea eggs are high in protein and low in calories. They have gained popularity not only in China but also among many people in other countries.

Many people love eating tea eggs, but when they try making them at home, they often struggle to achieve the authentic Chinese flavor. This is usually because of incorrect cooking methods. Today, I'll share with you my grandmother's method for making tea eggs, which results in exceptionally delicious eggs. You won't regret it! Join me in learning how to make tea eggs!

1. What is Tea Egg?

Tea egg is a traditional and famous snack in China, found in most regions of the country. It is a boiled egg flavored with tea during the cooking process, sometimes also seasoned with additional spices. Due to its simple preparation and convenient portability, tea eggs are often sold freshly cooked in small pots at places like train stations, street corners, and areas with high foot traffic, making them both affordable and appealing.

Tea eggs can be enjoyed as a meal or as a snack during leisure time, offering both practicality and a touch of culinary charm. During the boiling process, a small amount of tea is added, resulting in eggs with a brownish-yellow hue.

2. How to Infuse Flavor into Tea Eggs?

If you've observed Chinese tea eggs, you'll notice that they are not smooth after being boiled; instead, they have marbled patterns. This is because after boiling the eggs, people typically crack the eggshells lightly to allow the tea and spices to penetrate the eggs, enhancing their flavor.

When making tea eggs at home, you should follow this method as well. However, it's crucial to wait until the eggs are fully cooked before cracking the shells. Use gentle force to crack them to avoid breaking the eggs apart.

3. Alternatives for Tea Eggs

Eggs: Typically, Chinese tea eggs are made with chicken eggs. Therefore, it's best to use chicken eggs when making tea eggs. However, if you don't enjoy chicken eggs, you can substitute them with quail eggs.

Tea: Many people wonder what type of tea is best for making tea eggs. In fact, there's no specific tea required for tea eggs. You can use any tea you have at home. Personally, I often use black tea or jasmine tea. Other types of tea such as oolong, pu'er, white tea, etc., are also suitable for this recipe.

4. What Spices to Add to Tea Eggs?

When cooking tea eggs, people add spices primarily to enhance the flavor of the eggs. Commonly used spices include star anise, cinnamon, bay leaves, and Sichuan peppercorns. For those who enjoy spiciness, dried chili peppers are also added.

Important Tip: The spices added to tea eggs are not fixed; you can adjust them according to your personal taste preferences.

5. Do You Need to Add Soy Sauce When Boiling Tea Eggs?

In China, when boiling tea eggs, people often add some soy sauce. The main purpose of adding soy sauce is to enhance the color of the tea eggs, making them more visually appealing, while also improving their flavor. Sometimes, people also add a bit of cooking wine (Shaoxing wine) to help remove any undesirable odors and enhance the aroma.

6. How to Achieve a Beautiful Marble Effect in Tea Eggs?

There are three factors that affect the marble pattern effect. Please note:

1. Soaking Time: Generally, the longer the eggs are soaked in the marinade, the more pronounced the marble pattern will appear.

2. Tea: Typically, black tea (known as 红茶 in Chinese) provides the darkest color.

3. Soy Sauce: It is recommended not to overlook soy sauce, a common ingredient in Chinese cuisine used for coloring foods (e.g., red-braised pork belly). Soy sauce adds a certain salty flavor. If you increase the amount of soy sauce used, you should reduce the amount of salt accordingly.

7. How to Store Tea Eggs?

Ideally, tea eggs are best enjoyed fresh when they have the optimal texture and flavor. However, if you need to store tea eggs:

Freshly boiled tea eggs can be left on the kitchen countertop for up to 12 hours.

For longer storage, place them in the refrigerator. It's best not to store them in the marinade because prolonged soaking can make the eggs too salty. If eggs are soaked in the marinade for more than 24 hours, they may become overly salty.

Generally, once removed from the marinade, tea eggs can be stored in the refrigerator for about 2-4 days.

I've shared many tips on making homemade tea eggs with you all. I believe you now have a clear understanding of how to make perfect tea eggs. Now, let's get started together and make authentic Chinese tea eggs!