Instructions

1
Place eggs in a pot and cover with cold water by 1 inch. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 8-10 minutes.
2
Remove eggs and immediately place in an ice water bath to cool completely.
3
Once cool, gently tap the entire surface of each egg with the back of a spoon to create fine cracks all over, but don't remove the shell.
4
In the same pot, combine 4 cups water, tea bags, soy sauce, star anise, cinnamon stick, salt, and sugar. Bring to a boil.
5
Carefully add the cracked eggs back to the tea mixture. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 10-15 minutes.
6
Turn off heat and let eggs steep in the tea mixture for at least 2 hours, or overnight for deeper color and flavor.
7
Remove eggs from the tea mixture and carefully peel away the shells to reveal the beautiful tiger-stripe pattern underneath.
8
Serve at room temperature or chilled as an appetizer, snack, or garnish for salads and noodle dishes.

Tiger Eggs

Ingredients