Tea Leaf Eggs
Delight in the bold flavors and stunning artistry of Tea Leaf Eggs, a beloved Chinese delicacy perfect for snacking or as a unique appetizer. These hard-boiled eggs are gently cracked and simmered in a fragrant blend of black tea, soy sauce, Chinese five-spice powder, star anise, and cinnamon, creating a beautiful marbled pattern and a rich, savory depth of flavor. Optionally enhanced with the bright citrusy notes of orange peel, this recipe is as visually captivating as it is delicious. With a prep time of just 15 minutes and the option to steep the eggs for an even richer taste, Tea Leaf Eggs are wonderfully versatile—serve them warm, at room temperature, or chilled for any occasion. Embrace the timeless technique of marinating eggs in aromatic spices and impress your guests with this elegant and flavorful dish!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 6 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons black tea leaves
- 3 cups soy sauce
- 4 cups water
- 1 teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder
- 2 whole star anise
- 1 stick cinnamon stick
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 piece peel of 1 orange (optional)
Instructions
Place the eggs in a medium-sized pot and add enough water to cover them completely by about 1 inch.
Bring the water to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to low and let the eggs simmer for 8 minutes to hard boil them.
Remove the eggs from the boiling water using a slotted spoon and let them cool under cold running water or in an ice bath.
Once the eggs are cool enough to handle, gently tap the shells with the back of a spoon to create small cracks all over the surface. Do not remove the shells.
In a separate large pot, combine the black tea leaves, soy sauce, water, Chinese five-spice powder, star anise, cinnamon stick, sugar, and salt. Add the orange peel if using.
Heat the mixture over medium heat until it comes to a gentle boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
Carefully place the cracked eggs into the pot with the tea mixture, ensuring they are fully submerged. You can place a small plate on top of the eggs to keep them submerged if needed.
Simmer the eggs in the tea mixture for at least 1 hour, turning them occasionally to ensure even coloring and flavor absorption. For a more intense flavor and marbled effect, let the eggs sit in the mixture for several hours or overnight off the heat.
Remove the eggs from the tea mixture and peel off the shells to reveal the beautiful marbled pattern.
Serve the Tea Leaf Eggs warm, at room temperature, or chilled as a snack or appetizer.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
974 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 32.6 g | 42% | |
| Saturated Fat | 9.7 g | 48% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1.1 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 1116 mg | 372% | |
| Sodium | 30466 mg | 1325% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 67.9 g | 25% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 9.4 g | 34% | |
| Total Sugars | 17.7 g | ||
| Protein | 109.3 g | 219% | |
| Vitamin D | 6.2 mcg | 31% | |
| Calcium | 568 mg | 44% | |
| Iron | 20.0 mg | 111% | |
| Potassium | 3296 mg | 70% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
