Divided by national boundaries, oceans, mountains and masses of land, human beings on different parts of the earth will have different stories to tell. Each region of the world that is separated or isolated from the others because of the distance developed its ways of living, in other words, culture. These cultures are usually confined to the individuals belonging to a particular region and thereby unknown or alien to the outside world. This is why we are unfamiliar with dishes like the black egg or century egg. So, today let us get familiarized with this beautiful dish and learn all about it.
What are Black eggs?
Black egg, popularly known as century egg, is also known by various other names like preserved egg, hundred-year egg, or thousand-year egg. It is a traditional Chinese delicacy made by preserving duck, chicken, or quail eggs in a mixture of clay, ash, salt, quicklime, and rice straw for several weeks to months, depending on the method and desired flavour.
During the preservation process, the alkaline mixture gradually penetrates the eggshell. It denatures the proteins, turning the egg white into a translucent, jelly-like substance with a brownish-green or greyish colour, while the yolk becomes a creamy and savoury custard-like texture with a greenish hue.
The resulting flavour of century egg is rich, savoury, and slightly salty, with a unique and acquired taste often paired with congee (rice porridge), tofu, or served as a side dish in traditional Chinese cuisine. Typical to a dish part of a particular culture, the black or century egg also has a particular flavour profile. Some may say it has a rather unpleasant pungent smell and flavour. But still, it is a staple dish in Chinese cuisine and is enjoyed by many others. Do you wonder why? Black eggs, unlike the name, are an extremely nutritious dish.
The nutritional qualities of Black egg
- High in Protein: Century eggs are a good source of protein, with each egg providing around 6 grams of protein. Protein is essential for building and repairing tissues and helps maintain muscle mass.
- Rich in Minerals: Century eggs are also rich in several minerals such as calcium, iron, phosphorus, and zinc. These minerals are important for maintaining healthy bones, teeth, and blood cells.
- High in Vitamin B12: Century eggs are a good source of vitamin B12, which is important for healthy nerve function and the production of red blood cells.
- Low in Carbohydrates: Century eggs are low in carbohydrates, making them a good option for people who are following a low-carb diet.
- Are you wondering how such a nutritious and interesting dish, like black eggs, came into being? Well, let’s look back into the history of black eggs to find that out.
The history of black eggs
Black eggs were created accidentally during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). According to legend, a farmer in Hunan province discovered some duck eggs that had been left in a pool of slaked lime and ash for several months. He decided to taste one of the eggs and found that it had a unique flavour and texture, which inspired him to experiment with different preservation methods.
Over time, the process of making century eggs evolved, and other ingredients such as salt, tea, and rice straw were added to the mixture to enhance the flavour and texture of the preserved eggs. Century eggs became popular in southern China and eventually spread throughout Asia, where they are still enjoyed as a delicacy today.
But unfortunately, materials like the limestone I needed to prepare this delicacy are rare in India. Well, nutritious things like black eggs and AFA are supposed to be super rare, right? Don’t you know about AFA? Then you should know more about Nutriplus DailyHealth.
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