Chinese Tea Eggs
why make this recipe
Chinese Tea Eggs are not just delicious; they are also a beautiful snack or side dish. The combination of the soy sauce, tea, and spices gives each egg a unique flavor and stunning marbled appearance. They are perfect for enjoying as a snack, adding to a picnic, or serving during celebrations and gatherings. Plus, making them is easy and fun!
how to make Chinese Tea Eggs
Ingredients :
- 6 large eggs
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons black tea leaves or 2 black tea bags
- 1 star anise
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- Water
Directions :
- Place the eggs in a pot and cover them with water. Bring to a boil and let boil for 5 minutes.
- Remove the eggs from boiling water and let them cool. Once cool, gently crack the shells all over without peeling them.
- In the same pot, add soy sauce, black tea, star anise, cinnamon stick, sugar, and salt to the water.
- Place the cracked eggs back into the pot and add more water if necessary to cover the eggs.
- Simmer the eggs in the mixture for at least 1 hour for deeper flavor, or longer for more intense coloring, adding water as needed.
- Remove from heat and allow to cool. For best flavor, refrigerate overnight before peeling.
how to serve Chinese Tea Eggs
Serve Chinese Tea Eggs as a tasty snack on their own, or slice them in half and add them to salads or rice dishes. They also make a great addition to a charcuterie board or a picnic basket.
how to store Chinese Tea Eggs
Store the Chinese Tea Eggs in the refrigerator. Keep them in an airtight container for up to one week. If you have leftover marinade, you can add it to the container for extra flavor.
tips to make Chinese Tea Eggs
- Make sure to crack the eggs gently so the shells don’t fully come off. This helps create the beautiful marbled effect.
- For a stronger flavor, let the eggs sit in the marinade for longer. They can even be soaked in the fridge for a couple of days.
- Experiment with additional spices like ginger or cloves to find your perfect flavor.
variation
You can try adding different types of tea for unique flavors. Green tea or herbal teas can be interesting alternatives to black tea.
FAQs
Q: Can I use pre-boiled eggs?
A: It is best to start with fresh raw eggs because they absorb the flavors better. However, you can experiment with pre-boiled eggs if you prefer.
Q: Are Chinese Tea Eggs spicy?
A: No, they are savory with a mix of flavors from the soy sauce, tea, and spices, but they are not spicy.
Q: How long do the eggs last?
A: Chinese Tea Eggs can last in the refrigerator for about a week when stored properly in an airtight container.

Chinese Tea Eggs
Ingredients
Method
- Place the eggs in a pot and cover them with water. Bring to a boil and let boil for 5 minutes.
- Remove the eggs from boiling water and let them cool.
- Once cool, gently crack the shells all over without peeling them.
- In the same pot, add soy sauce, black tea, star anise, cinnamon stick, sugar, and salt to the water.
- Place the cracked eggs back into the pot and add more water if necessary to cover the eggs.
- Simmer the eggs in the mixture for at least 1 hour for deeper flavor, or longer for more intense coloring, adding water as needed.
- Remove from heat and allow to cool.
- For best flavor, refrigerate overnight before peeling.