Cha Ye Dan
Chinese Tea Eggs
Chinese tea eggs, known as Cha Ye Dan, are a popular and visually striking snack sold on street corners throughout China. Hard-boiled eggs are gently cracked and then simmered in a fragrant broth of black tea, soy sauce, and aromatic spices. This process infuses the eggs with a savory, complex flavor and creates a beautiful, marbled pattern on the whites as the seasoned liquid seeps into the cracks.
🧂 Ingredients
- 8 Eggs
- 3 tablespoons Black tea leaves(Loose leaf is preferred for better flavor infusion. You can use Lapsang Souchong for a smoky flavor or a robust Assam.)
- 80 ml Soy sauce(Low-sodium soy sauce can be used if preferred, adjust to taste.)
- 3 whole pods Star anise
- 1 Cinnamon stick(Approximately 3-4 inches long.)
- 1 teaspoon Sichuan peppercorns
- 1 strip Orange peel(From about 1/4 of an orange, avoid the white pith.)
- 1 tablespoon Sugar(Granulated sugar or rock sugar.)
- 4 cups Water(Or enough to cover the eggs completely.)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Place the eggs in a saucepan and cover with cold water by about an inch. Bring to a rolling boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes. Immediately transfer the eggs to an ice bath to stop the cooking process and make them easier to peel. Once cooled, gently tap each egg all over with the back of a spoon or on a hard surface, creating fine cracks in the shell. Be careful not to break the shell completely or remove it.
⏱️ 15 minutes - 2
In a medium pot (large enough to hold the eggs in a single layer), combine the black tea leaves, soy sauce, star anise, cinnamon stick, Sichuan peppercorns, orange peel, sugar, and 4 cups of water. Stir to combine.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 3
Carefully place the cracked eggs into the pot with the tea and spice mixture. Ensure the eggs are fully submerged. If necessary, add a little more water to cover them. Bring the liquid to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Once simmering, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let the eggs cook for at least 1 to 2 hours. The longer they simmer, the deeper the color and flavor will penetrate the eggs.
⏱️ 1-2 hours - 4
Turn off the heat and let the eggs steep in the cooling liquid. For the best flavor and marbling, allow them to cool completely in the pot and then refrigerate them overnight (at least 8 hours). This steeping period is crucial for developing the characteristic flavor and intricate patterns. Before serving, carefully peel the eggs to reveal the beautiful marbled design. The shells should peel away easily.
⏱️ 8-12 hours (overnight)
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓The more cracks you create on the eggshells, the more intricate and beautiful the marbled pattern will be. Aim for fine, all-over cracks.
- ✓A longer steeping time (overnight is ideal) will result in more deeply infused flavor and a richer, darker marbling effect.
- ✓The resulting marbled pattern is unique to each egg and adds to their visual appeal.
- ✓These eggs are best enjoyed at room temperature or chilled. They make a fantastic snack, appetizer, or addition to noodle dishes.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Experiment with different types of tea, such as oolong or pu-erh, for varied flavor profiles.
- Add other spices like bay leaves, cloves, or a slice of ginger for a more complex aroma.
- For a spicier kick, add a dried chili pepper to the simmering liquid.