How to Make Chinese Tea Eggs. EASY and DELICIOUS

Ingredients

• 6 Large Eggs (room temperature)
• 6 cups Water (for broth and boiling eggs)
• 1 cup Dark Soy Sauce (for deep color and umami)
• 2 tablespoons Salt (regular table salt)
• 2 teaspoons Rock Sugar (or brown sugar as a substitute)
• 1 Cinnamon Stick (whole stick)
• 2 Star Anise (whole pieces)
• 4 Garlic Cloves (peeled, left whole)
• 2 teaspoons Ground Cumin
• 0.5 teaspoons Cayenne Pepper (optional for heat)
• 3 Black Tea Bags (2 red tea bags + 1 additional bag for extra flavor)
• 1 tablespoon Vegetable Oil (for hot‑oil drizzle (optional))

Instructions

1. Boil the Eggs

   Place the 6 eggs in the large pot, cover with cold water, and bring to a rolling boil over high heat.

   Time: PT6M

   Temperature: 100°C

2. Ice‑Water Shock

   Using a slotted spoon, transfer the eggs to a bowl of ice‑cold water and let sit for 2 minutes to stop cooking.

   Time: PT2M

3. Crack the Shells

   Gently tap each egg all around with the back of a spoon or a butter knife, creating a network of fine cracks without removing the shell.

   Time: PT2M

4. Prepare the Aromatic Broth

   In the same pot, combine 6 cups water, 1 cup dark soy sauce, 2 tbsp salt, 2 tsp rock sugar, 1 cinnamon stick, 2 star anise, 4 peeled garlic cloves, 2 tsp ground cumin, 0.5 tsp cayenne pepper, and 3 tea bags. Bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve sugar and salt.

   Time: PT5M

   Temperature: 100°C

5. Simmer the Eggs

   Add the cracked eggs to the boiling broth, reduce heat to medium, cover with a lid, and simmer for 20 minutes.

   Time: PT20M

6. First Steeping Phase

   Turn off the heat and let the eggs sit in the hot broth, still covered, for another 20 minutes.

   Time: PT20M

7. Low‑Heat Simmer

   Return the pot to low heat and maintain a very gentle simmer for 1 hour.

   Time: PT1H

8. Final Soak

   Turn off the burner and let the eggs remain in the broth, covered, for at least 1 additional hour (or overnight in the refrigerator) to develop full flavor.

   Time: PT1H

9. Serve or Store

   Remove eggs, peel gently to reveal marbled whites, and enjoy warm, at room temperature, or chilled. Drizzle with a splash of hot oil if desired.

   Time: PT5M

Nutrition Facts

Calories

80

Protein

6 g

Carbohydrates

1 g

Fat

5 g

Fiber

0 g