Vegetarian Chinese Tea Eggs
Experience the timeless elegance of **Vegetarian Chinese Tea Eggs**, a gorgeous and flavor-packed twist on the traditional street food delicacy. Infused with the deep umami of soy sauce, the bold aroma of black tea, and the subtle warmth of spices like star anise, cinnamon, and Chinese five-spice powder, these marbled eggs boast a stunning cracked-shell pattern that transforms each one into an edible work of art. Perfectly balanced with a touch of sweetness and the optional citrusy notes of orange peel, these eggs are an impressive snack, appetizer, or side dish. Best of all, this recipe is perfectly suited for vegetarians, as it swaps out non-vegetarian flavorings for a rich, tea-infused broth. Serve them warm or chilled—either way, they’re an irresistible way to add a touch of traditional Chinese flair to your menu! Keywords: vegetarian Chinese tea eggs, marbled eggs, tea-infused eggs, soy sauce eggs, easy Chinese recipes, snack ideas.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 6 large eggs
- 4 cups water
- 1 cup soy sauce
- 2 black tea bags
- 2 star anise
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 3 garlic cloves
- 1 teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 10 black peppercorns
- 1 orange peel (optional)
Instructions
Place the eggs in a pot and cover them with cold water. Bring the water to a gentle boil over medium heat and let it cook for 10 minutes.
Remove the eggs and immediately place them into a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process. Allow the eggs to cool completely.
Once cooled, gently roll the eggs on a hard surface to crack the shells evenly. The cracks should be consistent but the egg should remain intact.
In a large pot, combine the 4 cups of water, soy sauce, tea bags, star anise, cinnamon stick, sugar, garlic cloves (smashed), Chinese five-spice powder, salt, black peppercorns, and optional orange peel.
Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Add the cracked eggs into the tea mixture, making sure they are fully submerged.
Simmer the eggs in the mixture for at least 30 minutes. For more intense flavor, you can marinate for several hours, or even overnight, in the refrigerator.
Before serving, peel the shells to reveal the marbled design. Serve warm or cold as a snack or side dish.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
839 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 33.7 g | 43% | |
| Saturated Fat | 9.2 g | 46% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.4 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 1116 mg | 372% | |
| Sodium | 12035 mg | 523% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 85.5 g | 31% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 12.1 g | 43% | |
| Total Sugars | 39.1 g | ||
| Protein | 63.9 g | 128% | |
| Vitamin D | 6.0 mcg | 30% | |
| Calcium | 532 mg | 41% | |
| Iron | 16.0 mg | 89% | |
| Potassium | 1861 mg | 40% | |
*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.
