By
Vritti Bansal
Updated:Jun 04, 2022
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Originally, fermented eggs were just a means of preserving eggs, but over centuries the curing process was improvised to create a creamy texture and rich flavour.
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Instagram/pinkbells360.
How fermented eggs were discovered is undocumented, but it is believed that they were invented out of the need to preserve eggs over a period of time. Scientists have estimated that their origin dates back 600 years, at the time of the reign of the Ming Dynasty in China. Fermented eggs have a dark colour and a rich, salty flavour. They are an acquired taste, much like blue cheese.
There are many stories about the origin of the fermented egg. One tale goes that a man in Hunan, China, found preserved duck eggs in the slaked lime clay that was being used in the construction of his house.
Originally, fermented eggs were just a means of preserving eggs, but over centuries the curing process was improvised to create a creamy texture and rich flavour so that they could become the Chinese delicacy they are today. They can be eaten on their own, or in congee.
Image credit: Instagram/troutybean
Traditionally made in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, the eggs are preserved for weeks if not months using a mixture of salt, wood ash, clay and quicklime. This results in a chemical reaction that increases the sodium content and the pH of the eggs. During the fermentation, the egg white becomes gelatinous and turns dark brown or black, while the yolk becomes dark green. It’s a myth that fermented eggs are rotten because if made correctly, they are free of mould and are safe to eat. They are also called thousand-year eggs, hundred-year eggs, or century eggs.
Village farmers had fermented eggs for hundreds of years, but they only started appearing on restaurant menus in Hong Kong when some popular Chinese chefs fled to the city during the Chinese Civil War, bringing regional dishes with them, in the 1940s. One of Hong Kong’s most famous restaurants emerged during this time: the Yung Kee Restaurant, which specialises in fermented eggs. At the restaurant, fermented eggs are served as a starter accompanied by pickled ginger.
Sometimes, these eggs are also baked inside pastries. The recipe involved a fermented egg, pickled ginger and bean paste all covered in puff pastry dough. Baking this results in a crispy pastry covering with a soft egg inside.
Besides techniques used for the large-scale production of fermented eggs, the fermentation process has remained largely unchanged. Some companies have even been shut down for using harmful chemicals like copper sulphate just to speed up the fermentation process. It’s uncertain whether these eggs will remain on menus for the years to come because younger generations and tourists in China have been known to be wary of preserved foods.
FAQs
They are made by putting the egg in a mix of clay, salt, quicklime, and ash. A century egg is not really 100 years old. People call it a century egg because it looks different and takes months to make.
What is the story behind the century egg? ›
Hundreds of years ago, a savoury idea – called the century egg – was hatched in rural China. As the story goes, a farmer found naturally preserved duck eggs in a muddy pool of water and slaked lime (a type of calcium hydroxide).
What does a 100 year old duck egg taste like? ›
A century egg tastes rich, complex, and pungent, like ripe blue cheese with a very faint hint of ammonia. (A spoiled century egg has a strong ammonia scent.) The texture of its white (which the treatment turns amber or black) is gelatinous, and its yolk is soft.
What is the egg delicacy in China? ›
Is a 1000 year old egg safe to eat? ›
Century eggs, like many preserved foods, are safe to eat, but it is important to check them for signs of spoilage before eating.
Why is my egg black inside? ›
The cloudiness is due to the presence of naturally occurring levels of carbon dioxide when an egg is laid. Black or green spots inside the egg may be the result of bacterial or fungal contamination of the egg. If you come across an egg with black or green spots discard the egg.
Can I eat a century egg every day? ›
The eggs are high in calories. So it's essential to consume them in moderation. Limiting your intake of century eggs to 1 or 2 eggs per day is recommended as a general guideline. It allows you to enjoy their unique flavor and nutritional benefits without over consuming them.
Can I boil a century egg? ›
Boil and cook for about 20 minutes. Add small spoonfuls of the pork mixture and chunks of century egg into the simmering congee. Cook for 10 minutes or until the congee is to your desired consistency. Add more water as needed if it is too thick.
Can a toddler eat a century egg? ›
Children&Baby. Children can't eat Century eggs, because preserved eggs contain a lot of lead, which will affect the baby's development, which is not good for the child's body. Lead will be stored in the liver, not conducive to the body.
Do duck eggs taste better than chicken eggs? ›
When it comes to duck eggs vs. chicken eggs, those from a duck have a richer flavor than those from a chicken. The taste is more intense, almost as if you added an extra chicken yolk to your omelet. They are also creamier than chicken eggs, thanks to the larger yolks.
Duck eggs are edible. Make sure they reach 160 °F (71.1 °C) to be safe.
Why do duck eggs taste fishy? ›
The results indicated that excessive TMA deposition in duck eggs is one of main factors causing the fishy odor in duck eggs, and the addition of choline in the ducks' diets was responsible for inducing an increase in the TMA content levels in duck eggs.
Is a century egg healthier than a regular egg? ›
Higher Nutritional Protein Than A Regular Egg
The Chinese view the century egg as a good protein snack because of how high in protein it is. Like carbs, protein is a nutrient vital for a person's health and acts as the body's fuel, as we are all aware.
Why do Chinese give red eggs? ›
Similar to Western Easter eggs, in Chinese culture eggs symbolize birth or a new start; thus, it is of paramount importance for eggs to be served to guests during an important birthday (such as the first month or first year). The color red symbolizes prosperity and good fortune to the Chinese.
How old is the oldest egg in the world? ›
The other eggs recovered at the site broke, with predictably smelly results. The 1,700-year-old egg that's still intact.
Are 100 year old eggs fermented? ›
They're not really 100 years old. They get aged in a mixture of salt and lime (the mineral, not the fruit). So the white turns black and translucent, and the yolk turns a bit greenish. They're like any other fermented/marinated food.
How long does it take to prepare the 100 year old egg? ›
Century eggs take about 4-5 weeks to make, a few minutes to work up the courage to open, and a few seconds to eat. Traditionally century eggs were made by preserving chicken or duck eggs in a mixture of salt, lime and ash, then wrapping in rice husks for several weeks.
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Image credit: Instagram/troutybean