How to Make Tea Eggs 🍵🥚: A Tasty and Easy Recipe!
Tea eggs, also known as "Bai Cai Dan" in Chinese, are a delightful and popular snack or side dish in many Asian cultures. These eggs are marinated in a rich, aromatic tea mixture that gives them a unique flavor and a beautiful marbled appearance. Here's a simple guide on how to make these delicious tea eggs at home!
🍳 Ingredients:
- 6 large eggs
- 1 liter (about 4 cups) of water
- 2 tablespoons of black tea leaves or 4 tea bags
- 2 tablespoons of soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon of salt
- 1 tablespoon of sugar
- 1 teaspoon of star anise (optional)
- 1 teaspoon of cinnamon stick (optional)
- 2 slices of ginger (optional)
🍳 Instructions:
Boil the Eggs: Place the eggs in a pot and cover them with cold water. Bring the water to a boil, then turn off the heat and let the eggs sit in the hot water for about 10 minutes. This will help crack the shells.
Crack the Eggs: Once the eggs are cool enough to handle, gently tap them against a hard surface to crack the shells. Don't worry if the cracks are not even; they will help the tea mixture seep into the egg.
Prepare the Tea Mixture: In a separate pot, bring the water to a boil. Add the black tea leaves or tea bags, soy sauce, salt, sugar, star anise, cinnamon stick, and ginger. Let the mixture simmer for about 5 minutes.
Add the Eggs: Place the cracked eggs in the pot with the tea mixture. Make sure they are submerged. If necessary, add more water to cover the eggs.
Simmer the Eggs: Bring the mixture back to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Let the eggs cook in the tea mixture for about 1 hour. The longer you simmer, the darker the color and stronger the flavor will be.
Rest the Eggs: After simmering, turn off the heat and let the eggs cool in the tea mixture. You can even leave them overnight for a more intense flavor.
Serve and Enjoy: Once the eggs are cool, remove them from the tea mixture and rinse them under cold water to stop the cooking process. Peel the eggs and serve them with a side of soy sauce or your favorite dipping sauce.
Enjoy your homemade tea eggs as a snack, a part of a meal, or even as a gift to your friends and family! 🎁 The process is simple, and the results are always satisfying. Happy cooking! 🍳🥚🎉
