Chinese Tea Eggs – cha ye dan.
Eggs are hard-boiled, simmered and steeped in black tea leaves and spices (cinnamon, star anise, fennel seeds, cloves and spicy peppercorns). Soy sauce is sometimes used. The marbled features become even more striking the longer the eggs are allowed to steep in the tea/spice liquid thus also lending to a more concentration of flavors. Steeping can be anywhere from 2 hours to 2 days (preference).
Chinese Tea Eggs are considered a household treat in China and a common item of convenience stores in Taiwan (with annual sales averaging over 40 million tea eggs)! They are usually eaten cold and sometimes served with toasted sesame seeds.
Chinese Tea Eggs – cha ye dan
What You Will Need
6 eggs
2 tablespoons black tea leaves or 4 black tea, tea bags
2 teaspoons Chinese five spice seasoning
1 tablespoon coarse salt or sea salt
toasted sesame seeds for garnish (optional)
Note: You can find Chinese five spice seasonings already pre-blended, from most supermarkets.
mei chen says
oh man! i’ve been looking for a recipe for these eggs ‘coz they are so delicious! thank you for posting!
Nami | Just One Cookbook says
Speechless… Cristina, this is so beautiful!! I’ve seen this somewhere before on food blogs but never ate this before. It’s such a shame since I go to visit my in-laws in Taiwan every year and I’ve never had it. Next time!!!!
CJ at Food Stories says
These are just gorgeous!
Jeanne says
These are gorgeous! And I’m curious to try them – they must taste fabulous too. I love tea, so I’ll have to give these a try. Thank you for the inspiration!
RKM says
WOW! I never seen anything like these. They look like a work of art you can taste. Beautiful shot of them Cristina.
Monet says
Simply stunning. Isn’t amazing how something like an egg could be so beautiful? Thank you for sharing. I am wishing I could have this now. I hope you are having a blessed day. I’m glad to be back in the blogging world again!
Cristina says
Hi Monet: Thank you and welcome back!! I really like how the shells look… woodsy like. Heading over to visit you right now…
Valerie says
Almost too beautiful to eat! Wow. (Even the inner shells are works of art.)
Cristina says
Thanks Valerie…the inside towards the middle looks interesting too as there is a slight ring around the yolk. I should’ve captured that to share.
veronica gantley says
I love your photos. Those puppies are fabulous. I made some for chinese new year! very addictive.
Cristina says
Thanks Veronica. Is there any special garnishes or way that your eat and serve these Chinese Tea Eggs?
Jill@madaboutmacarons.com says
I can see why these beauties are considered such a treat. I’ll never look at hard boiled eggs in the same way, especially when up a mountain this summer and having mother-in-law’s boiled eggs on a picnic 😉 I’m putting in my order now.
Cristina says
LOL! They do beg a pause, don’t they? 🙂
redkathy says
WOW Cristina, Those eggs are beautiful. Very interesting combination of flavors. I’ going to try these. Thanks for the inspiration!
Cristina says
Thank you Kathy 🙂 They are interesting looking, aren’t they? Please share back on TC if you give them a try…