Century eggs are a traditional Asian dish featuring eggs that have been preserved for a long period of time in a curing mixture. Although they appear dark in color, they are rich in flavor and considered a delicacy.

Century Eggs Explained: How to Make Century Eggs

Century eggs are a type of egg traditionally made in China and other Asian countries, like Hong Kong and Taiwan, by preserving the egg for many weeks or months in a mixture of clay, salt, wood ash, and quicklime. During this process, the outer [egg white](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/whats-the-difference-between-egg-yolks-and-egg-whites) turns dark brown or black and becomes gelatinous, while the inner [egg yolk](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/whats-the-difference-between-egg-yolks-and-egg-whites) becomes dark green. 

Century eggs taste salty and have a smooth, creamy texture when eaten. They are often served as an appetizer with [soy sauce](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/soy-sauce-explained) or added to congee, a type of rice [porridge](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-porridge). Century eggs are made from many types of eggs, including duck eggs, quail eggs, and chicken eggs. They are also called by many different names, including thousand-year eggs, thousand-year-old eggs, hundred-year eggs, millennium eggs, skin eggs, or preserved eggs.

There is a misconception that century eggs are rotten or spoiled, but if made correctly, century eggs are free of bacteria or mold and are perfectly safe to eat.
Century eggs were most likely invented out of the need to preserve eggs for long periods of time. The first instance of this method of preserving eggs was most likely around 600 years ago during the Ming Dynasty in China. There are many stories about how the century egg originated,  including a tale of a man in Hunan, China, who found preserved duck eggs in the slaked lime clay used in the construction of his house; or another story, about a man who left duck eggs outside for a woman he wanted to court that weren’t found until many months later.

While originally century eggs were simply a method of preservation, over many centuries the curing process was improved to create a richer flavor and turn them into the Chinese delicacy they are today. People did this by using a more complex alkaline clay mixture made of wood ash, salt, and calcium oxide, which created a chemical process that increased the sodium content and the pH of the egg. Traditionally, the clay mixture was made in a strong black tea and the eggs were then wrapped in rice hulls or rice husks while they cure.
Century eggs are a traditional Asian dish featuring eggs that have been preserved for a long period of time in a curing mixture. Although they appear dark in color, they are rich in flavor and considered a delicacy.

Century eggs are a type of egg traditionally made in China and other Asian countries, like Hong Kong and Taiwan, by preserving the egg for many weeks or months in a mixture of clay, salt, wood ash, and quicklime. During this process, the outer <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/whats-the-difference-between-egg-yolks-and-egg-whites' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/whats-the-difference-between-egg-yolks-and-egg-whites","linkCopy":"egg white","category":null}'>egg white</a> turns dark brown or black and becomes gelatinous, while the inner <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/whats-the-difference-between-egg-yolks-and-egg-whites' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/whats-the-difference-between-egg-yolks-and-egg-whites","linkCopy":"egg yolk","category":null}'>egg yolk</a> becomes dark green. Century eggs taste salty and have a smooth, creamy texture when eaten. They are often served as an appetizer with <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/soy-sauce-explained' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/soy-sauce-explained","linkCopy":"soy sauce","category":null}'>soy sauce</a> or added to congee, a type of rice <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-porridge' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-porridge","linkCopy":"porridge","category":null}'>porridge</a>. Century eggs are made from many types of eggs, including duck eggs, quail eggs, and chicken eggs. They are also called by many different names, including thousand-year eggs, thousand-year-old eggs, hundred-year eggs, millennium eggs, skin eggs, or preserved eggs.There is a misconception that century eggs are rotten or spoiled, but if made correctly, century eggs are free of bacteria or mold and are perfectly safe to eat.

What Is a Century Egg?

Century eggs were most likely invented out of the need to preserve eggs for long periods of time. The first instance of this method of preserving eggs was most likely around 600 years ago during the Ming Dynasty in China. There are many stories about how the century egg originated, including a tale of a man in Hunan, China, who found preserved duck eggs in the slaked lime clay used in the construction of his house; or another story, about a man who left duck eggs outside for a woman he wanted to court that weren’t found until many months later.While originally century eggs were simply a method of preservation, over many centuries the curing process was improved to create a richer flavor and turn them into the Chinese delicacy they are today. People did this by using a more complex alkaline clay mixture made of wood ash, salt, and calcium oxide, which created a chemical process that increased the sodium content and the pH of the egg. Traditionally, the clay mixture was made in a strong black tea and the eggs were then wrapped in rice hulls or rice husks while they cure.

A Brief History of Century Eggs

Century Eggs Recipe

Century eggs are a traditional Asian dish featuring eggs that have been preserved for a long period of time in a curing mixture. Although they appear dark in color, they are rich in flavor and considered a delicacy.

Century eggs are a traditional Asian dish featuring eggs that have been preserved for a long period of time in a curing mixture. Although they appear dark in color, they are rich in flavor and considered a delicacy.
