Chinese Tea Leaf Eggs

4.6
(29)
26 Reviews
6 Photos

Tea eggs are one of my favorite dishes and traditional lucky food to make for the Lunar New Year. These hard-boiled eggs are subtly flavored with anise and have a deep brown hue from black tea and soy. The marbled patterns from the cracked shells make these quite attractive. Store unpeeled eggs in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator for four to five days. Recipe courtesy of Mom.

Submitted by soygirl
Updated on January 27, 2024
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Prep Time:
20 mins
Cook Time:
3 hrs
Additional Time:
8 hrs
Total Time:
11 hrs 20 mins
Servings:
8
Yield:
8 eggs
Jump to Nutrition Facts

Ingredients

  • 3 cups water

  • 2 tablespoons black tea leaves

  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce

  • 1 tablespoon black soy sauce

  • 1 tablespoon tangerine zest

  • 1 (2 inch) piece cinnamon stick

  • 2 pods star anise

  • 1 ¼ teaspoons salt, divided

  • 8 large eggs

Directions

  1. Combine 3 cups water, tea leaves, soy sauce, black soy sauce, zest, cinnamon stick, star anise, and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a large saucepan; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 3 hours.

  2. Meanwhile, place eggs and remaining 1 teaspoon salt into a medium pot; cover with cold water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 20 minutes. Remove from heat, drain, and cool. Tap cooled eggs with the back of a spoon to crack shells; do not remove shells.

  3. Remove the saucepan from the heat. Add eggs and let steep for at least 8 hours, or for a richer flavor, up to 1 1/2 days.

Cook’s Note

I eat these chilled and quartered as a side dish, appetizer, or snack.  

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

75 Calories
5g Fat
1g Carbs
7g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 8
Calories 75
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 5g 6%
Saturated Fat 2g 8%
Cholesterol 186mg 62%
Sodium 624mg 27%
Total Carbohydrate 1g 0%
Dietary Fiber 0g 1%
Total Sugars 0g
Protein 7g 13%
Vitamin C 0mg 0%
Calcium 35mg 3%
Iron 1mg 5%
Potassium 91mg 2%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.

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