Chinese Tea Eggs

Infused with the rich aromas of black tea, soy sauce, and warm spices like star anise and cinnamon, Chinese Tea Eggs are a striking and flavorful culinary treat. Their signature marbled appearance comes from gently cracking the boiled eggshells before simmering them in a fragrant marinade, allowing the savory tea mixture to penetrate and stain the whites with delicate patterns. With just a handful of pantry staples and a hint of optional Sichuan peppercorns or orange peel for added depth, this recipe creates a snack that’s both visually stunning and irresistibly delicious. Perfect served warm, chilled, or at room temperature, these tea eggs are a versatile addition to any meal or an on-the-go snack that packs bold flavor in every bite.

Nutriscore Rating: 57/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:75 mins

Total Time:85 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 6 pieces large eggs
• 4 cups water
• 2 tablespoons black tea leaves or 2 black tea bags
• 1 cup soy sauce
• 3 whole pieces star anise
• 1 piece cinnamon stick
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 1 teaspoon peppercorns
• 1 strip orange peel (optional)
• 1 teaspoon Sichuan peppercorns (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Place the eggs in a medium-sized pot and add enough water to cover the eggs by about 1 inch. Bring the water to a boil over medium heat.

Step 2

Once boiling, reduce the heat to a low simmer and let the eggs cook for 7 minutes.

Step 3

After 7 minutes, use a slotted spoon to carefully transfer the eggs to a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process. Let them cool for a few minutes.

Step 4

Gently crack the eggshells all over using the back of a spoon, making sure to leave the shells intact. This will allow the flavor to infuse through the cracks.

Step 5

In the same pot, add 4 cups of water, soy sauce, tea leaves, star anise, cinnamon stick, sugar, salt, peppercorns, and the optional orange peel and Sichuan peppercorns.

Step 6

Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and carefully add the cracked eggs back into the pot.

Step 7

Cover the pot and let the eggs simmer in the tea mixture for at least 1 hour, turning the eggs occasionally to ensure even flavor distribution.

Step 8

For more intense flavor, allow the eggs to sit in the marinade overnight in the refrigerator once the pot is cool enough to handle.

Step 9

Serve the tea eggs warm, at room temperature, or chilled, peeling them before serving. They make a great snack or accompaniment to meals.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1594.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	740.2

Total Fat 33.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 9.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.4g
Cholesterol 1116mg	0%
Sodium 16748.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 59.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 7.0g	0%
Total Sugars 26.6g
Protein 62.4g	0%

Vitamin D 240IU	0%
Calcium 449.5mg	0%
Iron 15.8mg	0%
Potassium 1609.6mg	0%

*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.

Source of Calories

Fat: 38.4%

Protein: 31.6%

Carbs: 30.0%