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–+ servings
chinese tea eggs on a wooden board, sliced half boiled eggs

Chinese Tea Eggs

Azlin Bloor
Chinese tea eggs are hard-boiled eggs simmered in a fragrant marinade of tea, soy sauce, and spices, and a favourite childhood snack.
5 from 1 vote
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Soaking Time 12 hours
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Appetiser, Hawker Food, Side Dish, Snack, Street Food
Cuisine Chinese
Servings 6
Calories 75 kcal

Ingredients
  

Ingredients
  • 6 eggs
  • enough water to boil the eggs
The Tea Soak
  • 750 ml water enough to cover the eggs
  • 1 star anise
  • 1 thin cinnamon stick
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 2 dried red chillies snapped in half optional
  • 1 tsp Sichuan peppercorns
  • 2.5 cm thick piece of ginger sliced
  • 3 heaped Tbsp loose black tea leaves or 4 tea bags
  • 1 tsp smoky tea like lapsang souchong optional
  • 1 tsp white sugar
  • 1½ tsp salt
  • 3 Tbsp light soy sauce
  • 3 Tbsp dark soy sauce
  • 1 tsp Shaoxing wine or ¼ tsp clear vinegar

Instructions
 

  • Brew the tea soak by placing all the ingredients in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer.
    750 ml water, 1 star anise, 1 thin cinnamon stick, 2 bay leaves, 2 dried red chillies snapped in half, 1 tsp Sichuan peppercorns, 2.5 cm thick piece of ginger, 3 heaped Tbsp loose black tea leaves, 1 tsp smoky tea like lapsang souchong, 1 tsp white sugar, 1½ tsp salt, 3 Tbsp light soy sauce, 3 Tbsp dark soy sauce, 1 tsp Shaoxing wine or ¼ tsp clear vinegar
  • Simmer for 10 minutes, then completely cool.
  • While the tea is simmering, boil the eggs for 7 -10 minutes (see article), then immediately plunge them into an ice water bath to stop from overcooking.
    6 eggs, enough water to boil the eggs
  • When the tea soak has cooled down, tap the eggs with a spoon to create cracks.
  • Soak the eggs in the tea mix, cover, and place in the fridge overnight.
  • Leave them to soak for a minimum of 12 hours, but you can go as long as 4 days for a darker look and a stronger flavour. They will keep for 5 days in the fridge.
  • Peel and enjoy!

Notes

Total time does not include soaking time.

Nutrition

Calories: 75kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 7gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.02gCholesterol: 164mgSodium: 1508mgPotassium: 93mgFiber: 0.1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 240IUVitamin C: 0.01mgCalcium: 32mgIron: 1mg
Keyword eggs, sinseh, tea
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