We all know that eggs can be boiled, fried, scrambled, or even made into an omelet. But did you know that some eggs are aged before they are sold?
These are called century eggs and simply put, they’re a unique taste experience for any adventurous eater.
These eggs are made with an addition of traditional Chinese spices like salt, rice wine, and a little bit of lime. The eggs are left to age for about three months before they’re ready.
In this post, we will go into details about what does a century egg tastes like, how they are made and who eats them.
Some people find the idea of eating aged eggs gross because it can sometimes look rotten or spoiled on its shell surface but if you’re new to this food item then we have some tips that may help.
What is a Century Egg?
A century egg is a preserved duck or chicken egg that’s been coated in clay, ash, and salt. The process of preserving the eggs was developed by Chinese farmers as early as the Qing dynasty (1644-1912) to preserve eggs for long periods without refrigeration for winter months.
It’s a century-old dish that is a preserved Chinese delicacy. To make a century egg, eggs are soaked in salt water and then covered with lime for around 100 days to form the sulfurous or ammonia-like odor because of their high alkalinity level.
The yolk turns dark green while the white becomes brown icky yellow color due to oxidation whereas outside change into deep black crust over time.
Process of Making Century Egg
First, you need to select the right eggs. It’s key to use very fresh eggs. Dry, cracked shells are not good for this process because they will break and crack during the boiling stage which can cause contamination.
The second step is to boil them in a solution of water with salt added until cooked through. To prepare the pickling solution, you’ll need to dissolve salt in water and then add the lime.
Next, you put them into jars or buckets with lids on top that have been pre-packed beforehand (with layers of eggs) for around 100 days before consumption.
The eggs will turn into a dark brown or greenish-black color.
After 100 days, remove the eggs and very carefully peel them with your fingers to reveal their yolk inside which has turned into a dark green-black color with an earthy smell.
What Does A Century Egg Taste Like? Does A Century Egg Taste Good?
Century egg is a type of Chinese preserved food with chicken egg or duck egg as the primary ingredient that is typically eaten in China.
It’s difficult to give an accurate answer because there are many different ways this dish can be made, which result in various tastes and textures depending on how it was prepared.
While others enjoy them with a dash of soy sauce, ginger, and scallion. They are often eaten as a snack with tea or rice wine, but they can also be cooked in various dishes like congee or noodles.
Century eggs have an odor similar to ammonia which many people find unpleasant at first taste. The taste is usually described as being earthy with hints of ammonia.
Is Century Egg Good for Health?
Century eggs are high in protein and low in carbohydrates, making them a popular food for those on diets.
The eggs are also rich in vitamins and minerals such as vitamin A which is necessary to maintain eyesight; calcium that’s important when it comes to building strong bones or regulating the heartbeat rate.
However, some people might not be able to find century egg an appealing dish because of its pungent odor and peculiar taste.
It is said that century eggs improve skin complexion and strengthen nails because they contain high levels of sulfur amino acids. However, there are no scientific studies to support these claims.
Sulfur can also build up in the arteries and cause inflammation of blood vessels, which is one side effect that you may experience from eating century eggs regularly as well.
Do You Need to Cook Century Egg?
The century eggs have been cured for 100 days, so it is safe to eat them without cooking. You can peel them and eat them as they are.
To make the yolk of the century egg gooier and easier to peel, you can soak it in water for a few hours before peeling.
You can also use them in other dishes such as stir-fries, salads, or pasta dishes.
Cooking the century egg will change the flavor. But keep in mind that these eggs are not for everyone.
Conclusion
In conclusion, buy century eggs if you want to try something new and adventurous. They are a great source of protein, have little sodium content as well as no cholesterol or fat.
But, they can be dangerous for the health due to their high concentration of hydrogen sulfide which is why it’s not recommended by doctors that someone eats them every day regularly.
What Does a Century Egg Taste Like? Does a Century Egg Taste Good?
Ingredients
- Century egg
- Ingredients from your favorite recipes
Instructions
- Depending on the recipes you choose, the taste can vastly differ.
- For authentic results, it is important to choose a recipe that will highlight the original flavor.
- Have fun experimenting with different recipes and taste tests!
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