May 2nd is National Egg Day, and May is National Egg Month. America loves its eggs baked, boiled, deviled, fried, scrambled, and numerous other preparations from frittatas and omelets to custard and quiche. How about Chinese tea leaf eggs, also known as marbled eggs?

Chinese Tea Leaf Eggs are a popular Chinese street food which is also known as marbled eggs. Eggs are braised with Chinese teas and spices that have a unique and strong tea flavor. The black tea and soy sauce create a marble pattern when the shells are cracked.

The marbled patterns are alluring, as is the aroma from the tea and spices.
 
 
HOW TO SERVE TEA LEAF EGGS

Enjoy them chilled, room temperature, or warm. Serve them whole, like a hard-boiled egg snack; sliced in quarters to garnish a salad; as an appetizer with chilled seafood; and wherever your culinary creativity leads you.

Tea leaf eggs are a traditional lucky food to make for the Lunar New Year, but add pizzazz to meals or snacks the whole year through.

You can use different teas—plain black, Earl Grey, jasmine, pu-erh, etc.—and different spices.

By the way, these are not Thousand-Year-Old Eggs, cured eggs that are also called Century Eggs, Hundred Year Eggs, Preserved Eggs, and other names. Here’s the scoop about those.

> The different types of eggs.
 
 
RECIPE: CHINESE TEA LEAF EGGS

When the eggs sit in the broth, the tea and spices are infused into the egg white and yolk. Yummy!

Medium eggs are recommended. “If the eggs are too small, they’ll get too rubbery after cooking for a long time,” says Gan Chee How, a supervisor at Tea Chapter, a tea store in Singapore famous for its tea eggs. “Eggs that are too big won’t be able to properly absorb the flavour, so medium-sized eggs are just right” [source].

As a condiment, dip the eggs in soy sauce, which is traditional in China. Or create a fusion dish with Western condiments: hot sauce, mayonnaise, or Chinese or Dijon mustard.

We’ve enjoyed them with Thousand Island dressing and other creamy salad dressings.

As for beverages: beer, red wine, sparkling wine, and of course, tea or iced tea.

Thanks to Kikkoman for the recipe.

Ingredients For 8 Servings

 
Preparation

1. HARD BOIL the eggs as desired. Submerge the cooked eggs in cold water so that they become cool enough to handle. While eggs cool…

2. WHISK together in a saucepan just large enough to fit the eggs the soy sauce, star anise (or anise seed), black tea leaves, sugar, salt, cinnamon stick, optional Chinese five-spice powder and/or orange zest, and cold water.

3. REMOVE the eggs from the water and pat dry with paper towels. Using the back of a spoon, lightly tap the eggs so that the shell cracks, but not so hard that the shell loosens from the egg. It’s okay if a few tiny pieces of shell break away—the marble tea stain will just be darker in that area. Once the eggshells are covered in cracks…

[1] Tea leaf eggs sport a beautiful marble pattern (photos #1 and #4 © Kikkoman).

[2] Here’s another tea eggs recipe from Rasa Malaysia (photo © Rasa Malaysia).

[3] Soaking in the flavored broth (photo by Dromafoobeno | Wikipedia).

[4] You can use regular or low-sodium soy sauce.

5. BRING the saucepan to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cover and let the eggs simmer for 2 hours (or longer, for a more potent taste), adding more water to the pot as needed to keep the eggs submerged.

6. SERVE: Remove the eggshells. Roll the egg between your palms to loosen the shell, then slip it off. Serve with additional soy sauce for dipping, or use as described above.

 
 
THE HISTORY OF THE CHINESE TEA EGG

The tea egg is a savory Chinese preparation commonly sold as a snack by street vendors, convenience stores, or in night markets in most Chinese communities throughout the world, as well as in Asian restaurants.

In Southeast Asia, they’re scooped up straight from vats of simmering broth.

Tea eggs originated in Zhejiang province* as a way to preserve foods. The earliest written record of tea eggs dates back to 1792, in The Way of Eating by Qing dynasty scholar Yuan Mei [source].

They are now found in all provinces of China. Similar recipes and variations have been developed throughout Asia.

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*Zhejiang, pronounced ZHUU zhaang, is an eastern, coastal province of the People’s Republic of China. Its capital and largest city is Hangzhou, and other notable cities include Here’s more about it.

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[1] Waffles are given the churros treatment, redolent of cinnamon (photos © Krusteaz).

[2] For dessert add chocolate sauce with whipped cream or ice cream.td>

What’s for breakfast on Cinco de Mayo? Or for that matter, what’s for dessert? Cinnamon Churro Waffles!

Just add water, oil, and an egg to this tasty mix to take waffles beyond every day to a celebration day.

Krusteaz Cinnamon Churro Belgian Waffle Mix makes light, fluffy, crispy waffles with a cinnamon flavor and aroma—just like fried churros.

For dessert, add chocolate sauce and ice cream or whipped cream.

Find your nearest store.

You can buy an eight-pack on Amazon (fun gifts?).
 
 
CHURRO RECIPES

Some pastry chefs pipe the churros into flat cookie shapes for ice cream sandwiches. You can try that, or take a gander at these churro recipes:

 
 
 
 
MORE

> The different types of waffles.

> The history of waffles.

> February is National Pancake Month. There are National Pancake Days on February 28th and September 26th.

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Every season we look forward to the fleeting magic that Lady M imparts to their limited-edition Mille Crêpes Cakes. From today through the end of June, the special flavor is lavender.

Organic lavender flowers are infused in the milk used to make the pastry cream for the Lavender Mille Crêpes Cake, made from 20 alternating layers of paper-thin, handmade French crêpes and lavender pastry cream that surround a center filling of blackberry jelly.

The organic lavender flowers and delicate piping of lavender-blackberry cream are a delicate balance of floral and fruity, a true feast for both the eyes and the palate.

With its beautiful lavender color and delicious flavor profile, the Lavender Mille Crêpes Cake is perfect for Mother’s Day and other springtime celebrations, up through Father’s Day and graduation parties.

Serve it with sparkling wine or iced tea. Here’s a recipe for lavender iced tea.
 
 
GET YOUR LAVENDER MILLE CRÊPES CAKE

If you order the cake online, it is shipped frozen and can remain frozen for up to two months (once a cake is defrosted, it should not be re-frozen).

Fresh cakes from Lady M boutiques can last for two days.
 
If you can’t use a whole cake, look for a Lady M boutique near you and treat yourself to a slice or two.

Through May 14th only, in select boutiques and online, there’s Rose Mille Crêpes Cake, with delicate, rose-kissed pastry cream and topped with a glossy sweet rose jelly and edible rose petals (photo #4).
 
 
LADY M MILLE CRÊPES CAKE YEAR-ROUND FLAVORS

While there are seasonal flavors, the current roster of 9-inch Mille Crêpes Cakes includes:

 
There are seasonal flavors: Chestnut for the holidays, Champagne for the new year, Passion Fruit for the summer, and so on. Keep checking and you may find Purple Yam, Red Bean, and Salted Caramel.

You can even order a three-tier wedding cake, each layer made of “mille” crêpes.
 
 
> The history of cake and the different types of cakes.
 
 
ABOUT LADY M

Lady M is a New York City luxury confections brand with boutique locations worldwide. Created in 2001 and led by CEO Ken Romaniszyn, Lady M is the creator of the world famous Mille Crêpes.

Lady M marries French pastry techniques with Japanese sensibilities, resulting in delicate cakes that are a touch sweet and perfect for every occasion.

All cakes are handmade and prepared fresh without food additives or preservatives. Lady M’s recipes have been refined over the years to provide the finest quality in taste and appearance. Indulge in a world of cakes and confections at LadyM.com.

Lavender Mille Crepes Cake[/caption]
[1] Lady M’s Lavender Mille Crêpes Cake, a limited edition for May and June (photos © Lady M).

[2] The cake has a layer of blackberry jelly in the center.

[3] The view from above.

[4] A close-up of the Rose Mille Crêpes Cake.

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[1] A flatbread pizza with avocado, fig, and optional prosciutto (photo © California Avocados).

[2] You know the avocado is ripe when the stem end is soft (photo © Love One Today).

[3] You can use any fresh figs, but black or brown figs like these black Mission figs provide appealing color contrast (photo © California Figs).

[4] Sliced prosciutto di Parma (photo © Di Bruno Bros.).

We made this grilled flatbread recipe for Sunday brunch, and can’t wait to make it again. It’s a flatbread pizza. Thanks to California Avocados for the recipe.

Wait, you say: Is it a flatbread or is it a pizza?
 
 
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FLATBREAD & PIZZA

Flatbread and pizza can share the same toppings and the same pizza oven or grill. So how is flatbread different from pizza?

The main difference is the dough that is used.

 
Here’s where it gets confusing:

Many restaurants use pizza dough for their flatbreads. How can you tell?

A true flatbread will be thin, flat, and crisp. The crust of a flatbread made with pizza dough will, well, look like a pizza crust—even though it may be a rectangle or other shape.

Both are delicious.
 
 
RECIPE: GRILLED CALIFORNIA AVOCADO & FIG FLATBREAD PIZZA

Large Hass avocados are recommended for this recipe. A large avocado weighs about 8 ounces. If using smaller or larger size avocados, adjust the quantity accordingly.

While some people enjoy a beer with flatbread, a glass of Prosecco is a sparkling option.

Prep time is 15 min and cook time is 15 minutes.
 
Ingredients For 8 Servings

 
Preparation

1. PREHEAT the grill to 350°F. Stretch the pizza dough by hand into a 12″ x 14″ oval or rectangular shape.

2. LAY the crust on the grill for 2-3 minutes, or until cooked enough to flip. Continue cooking and flipping for about 7 more minutes. Watch for burning and move the crust to a cooler area of the grill to cook the center. When the crust is about 3 minutes from finished…

3. SLICE the avocado in half and remove the pit. Cut each half into 4 slices, leaving the skin on. Place the avocado slices on the grill, cooking 1-2 minutes per side. Set aside. Once the grilled crust is completed…

4. TRANSFER the crust to a large platter. Assemble the pizza by spreading crème fraîche over the crust, followed by the optional prosciutto. Remove the skin from the avocado slices, placing the slices atop the crème fraîche or prosciutto. Sprinkle with the arugula, and top with the sliced figs, Parmesan cheese, drizzled olive oil, and balsamic vinegar.

5. CUT into squares and serve.
 
 
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*If you have leftover lamb or roast pork, you can use them instead.

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Our first California Chardonnay obsession was Sonoma-Cutrer. We had “discovered” the wine, made in Sonoma’s Russian River growing region, on the opposite coast, in our hometown of New York City.

When we took our first trip to Sonoma County, we were treated to a tour of the winery and an hour of relaxation in the tasting room.

We loved the buttery, oaky, fruit-forward, full-bodied wine, made in the tradition of the great white wines of Burgundy (with a tip of the hat to Californian style), aged in barrels of French oak (the source of “buttery” and “oaky”).

Since the first 1981 Cutrer Vineyard Chardonnay, the winery has grown exponentially, producing Chardonnay from six different vineyards that express different terroir* qualities, plus reserve wines and blends. It’s a cornucopia of Chardonnay happiness. (Not to mention, the winery also makes delicious Pinot Noirs.)

And now, the award-winning vintner has launched Simply Cutrer, the brand’s first canned wine: ideal for one person, easy to transport, convenient to recycle—and, in our own lifestyle, great for party favors (with a ribbon) and stocking stuffers.
 
 
SIMPLY CUTRER: THE BEST WINE IN A CAN?

With Simply Cutrer, the venerable brand is breaking tradition by offering wine lovers a fine wine in a can. (While Sonoma-Cutrer is perhaps the most prestigious brand in the market, here’s more about premium wine in a can.)

As a winery that has ranked at the top of the Most Requested Chardonnay list in Wine & Spirits magazine’s annual restaurant poll, Sonoma-Cutrer hopes that Simply Cutrer will change the way consumers perceive wine in a can.

While the wine is ready for summer sipping at the pool or a barbecue, cookout‡, or picnic, it is versatile to pair with anything from a Salade Niçoise to chicken, fish, and shellfish.

Most bottles of Sonoma-Cutrer are made from grapes grown in specific vineyards (see *terroir, below). The winery does make wine from a blend of grapes from different vineyards, and the Chardonnay grapes for Simply Cutrer are a blend sourced from different vineyards.

In Simply Cutrer, aromas of peach, nectarine, and melon mingle with hints of vanilla, toasted nuts, and light caramel. On the palate, Simply Cutrer features notes of ripe pear and peach, and a long, lush finish.

Simply Cutrer has an ABV‡‡ of 13.9%. It retails for an SRP‡‡ of $19.99 for a four-pack of 250ml cans. It is available for purchase in select states‡‡‡ and on the Sonoma-Cutrer website.

Stock up for home and for gifting.
 
 
THE HISTORY OF CHARDONNAY

A white wine grape originating in the Burgundy wine region of eastern France, Chardonnay is now grown wherever wine is produced. It’s the most-consumed white wine in the world [source].

While many ampelographers (botanists who specialize in the identification and classification of grape vines) had theories as to the origins of the Chardonnay grape, modern DNA fingerprinting suggests that Chardonnay is a cross between the Pinot Noir and Gouais Blanc grape varieties. The Romans are thought to have brought Gouais Blanc from Croatia to Gaul, and it was widely cultivated by peasants in eastern France [source].

The Pinot Noir grapes in Burgundy grew in close proximity to the Gouais Blanc, providing ample opportunity to interbreed. Since the two parent grapes were genetically distant, the hybrids were vigorous and were selected for further propagation.

A highly vigorous vine, the Chardonnay grape is easy to cultivate and adapts to different growing conditions. It takes on the attributes of its terroir and winemaker.

In France, Chardonnay is the second-most widely planted white grape variety just behind Ugni Blanc and ahead of Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc. (Ugni Blanc is grown extensively in the Cognac and Armagnac regions, and is distilled into brandy.)

[1] Simply Cutrer is the latest wine from Sonoma-Cutrer, a fine wine in trending 250 ml cans (photos #1 and #2 © Sonoma-Cutrer).

[2] You can use the individual cans as party favors and placeholders. Just tie a piece of twine (or a yellow ribbon) around the can.

[3] If you’re enjoying a nice meal at home, drinking out of a wine glass is perfectly acceptable—or empty the entire four-pack into a carafe (photo © Zwiesel Glas | Facebook).

[4] Chardonnay grapes. You can buy vines and grow your own (photo © Double A Vineyards | Pixie Gardens).

In the U.S., it is the number one white wine grape in California, predominantly in the Napa and Sonoma Valleys.

It is also an important grape in the Willamette Valley of Oregon; in the Alto-Aldige and Puglia regions of Italy; in the Marlborough region of New Zealand; and in the Thracian Valley of Bulgaria; and in Argentina, Australia, and Chile, among other regions.
 
 
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*Terroir, pronounced tur-WAH, *is a French agricultural term referring to the unique set of environmental factors in a specific habitat that affects a crop’s qualities. It includes climate, elevation, proximity to a body of water, slant of the land, soil type, and amount of sun. These environmental characteristics give a fruit or vegetable its unique character.

‡Barbecue is meat cooked “low and slow” inside direct heat. A cookout is when foods—burgers, hot dogs, fish, corn on the cob, etc.—are cooked over an open flame.

‡‡ABV is alcohol by volume. SRP is standard retail price.

‡‡‡Select states include Alabama, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin. Additional markets expected in 2023 include Arizona, California, Maryland, Michigan, Nevada, Rhode Island, Oregon, Utah, and Washington (availability is subject to change).
 
 

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