Chinese Tea Leaf Eggs

Transform ordinary eggs into a stunning culinary masterpiece with this Chinese Tea Leaf Eggs recipe, a timeless delicacy celebrated for its eye-catching marbled patterns and rich, aromatic flavor. Perfectly infused with a blend of black tea, soy sauce, Chinese five-spice powder, cinnamon, and star anise, these eggs are slow-simmered and steeped to perfection, creating a savory, slightly spiced snack or side dish. The optional addition of orange peel adds a subtle citrusy hint, balancing the robust umami of the broth. With minimal prep time and an easy cooking process, these tea eggs are as visually impressive as they are delicious—perfect for appetizers, lunchboxes, or a flavorful addition to any meal. Serve them warm, cold, or room temperature, and enjoy the authentic taste of Chinese culinary tradition.

Nutriscore Rating: 64/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:90 mins

Total Time:100 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 6 pieces Eggs
• 4 cups Water
• 0.5 cups Soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons Black tea leaves or tea bags
• 1 teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder
• 1 piece Cinnamon stick
• 2 pieces Star anise
• 1 tablespoon Sugar
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 1 strip Orange peel (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Place the eggs in a saucepan and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then lower the heat and simmer for 7 minutes.

Step 2

Remove the eggs from the pot and cool them in a bowl of ice water for a few minutes until they are cool enough to handle.

Step 3

Gently tap the eggs all over with the back of a spoon to create cracks in the shell, being careful not to remove the shell entirely. This will create the marbling effect.

Step 4

In a pot, combine 4 cups of water, soy sauce, tea leaves or tea bags, Chinese five-spice powder, cinnamon stick, star anise, sugar, salt, and orange peel (if using). Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.

Step 5

Reduce the heat to low and carefully place the cracked eggs into the pot. Ensure that the eggs are fully submerged in the liquid.

Step 6

Simmer the eggs for 1 hour, stirring occasionally to evenly coat them in the tea mixture.

Step 7

After 1 hour, remove the pot from heat and allow the eggs to steep in the liquid for at least 2 hours or preferably overnight to deepen the flavor.

Step 8

When ready to serve, gently peel the eggs to reveal the beautiful marbled patterns. Serve warm, cold, or at room temperature as a snack or side dish.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1433.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	608.1

Total Fat 30.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 9.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.2g
Cholesterol 1116mg	0%
Sodium 7429.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 32.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 4.9g	0%
Total Sugars 14.4g
Protein 51.7g	0%

Vitamin D 246IU	0%
Calcium 382.3mg	0%
Iron 11.7mg	0%
Potassium 1121.6mg	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: 45.3%

Protein: 33.8%

Carbs: 20.9%