Deliciously Simple Tea Egg Recipe: How to Infuse Your Eggs with Flavor!

Spice up your snack game with a tantalizing treat that’s as beautiful as it is delicious – the "tea egg". This Chinese delicacy is known for its unique fusion of flavors, combining the rich, savory taste of soy sauce with the earthy aroma of black tea. Whether you’re craving a healthy snack or need a visually stunning appetizer for your next gathering, the "tea egg" is a versatile and satisfying choice.

Ingredients:

• 6 large eggs
• 2 cups of water
• 1/2 cup of soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons of black tea leaves
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 star anise
• 1 teaspoon of sugar
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• Optional: a pinch of Sichuan peppercorns for extra spice

Preparation Steps:

1. Hard-boil the eggs: Place the eggs in a pot and cover them with cold water. Bring the water to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes. Remove the eggs and place them in a bowl of ice water to cool.

2. Crack the eggshells: Gently tap the boiled eggs with the back of a spoon to crack the shells, being careful not to peel them off.

3. Brew the tea: In a separate pot, combine the water, soy sauce, black tea leaves, cinnamon stick, star anise, sugar, salt, and Sichuan peppercorns (if using). Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes to infuse the flavors.

4. Marinate the eggs: Add the cracked eggs to the pot of brewed tea mixture, ensuring they are fully submerged. Simmer for 1-2 hours, or leave them to marinate in the refrigerator overnight for a more intense flavor.

Cooking Time & Servings: The total cooking time for this recipe is approximately 2 hours, including marinating time. This recipe yields 6 tea eggs.

Nutritional Information: Each serving of the "tea egg" (1 egg) contains approximately 70 calories, 5g of protein, 5g of fat, and 1g of carbohydrates.

Tips and Tricks: For a vegan alternative, swap the eggs for tofu or your favorite root vegetables. Adjust the marinating time to your preference for a stronger or milder flavor. You can also experiment with different tea blends, such as green or oolong tea, for unique variations.

Conclusion: With its exquisite balance of flavors and stunning marbled appearance, the "tea egg" is a must-try snack that will impress your taste buds and guests alike. Give this recipe a try and let us know how it turns out! Feel free to share your creations on social media and tag us with any questions or feedback. Happy cooking!