Image from: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/63/Century_egg_sliced_open.jpeg/220px-Century_egg_sliced_open.jpeg
Preserved egg 皮蛋, also known as century egg, hundred-year egg, thousand-year egg, thousand-year-old egg, and millennium egg.
Some says preserved eggs were one of the most revolting foods they’ve come across, some really likes it.
Personally, I really like its taste especially when it’s being eaten with congee. 🙂
Despite different subjective opinion about its taste, century egg is considered as one of the delicacies in China.
It can be made from chicken, duck or quail eggs by preserving them in a mixture of clay, ash, salt, quicklime, and rice hulls.
Do not worry, despite it’s sometimes called a century egg, the egg is definitely not preserved for a 100 years, let alone a thousand. It is actually preserved for up to a maximum period of 8 months only.
The mixture causes the egg to age faster. Its yolk turns to a gray or dark green colour and develops a creamy texture; the white becomes a dark-brown coloured, jelly-like consistency.
Info from MyFitnessPal.
What nutrients do preserved eggs have?
Preserved egg has nearly the same nutritional value as that of a normal egg. However, it has a slightly higher sodium content when compared to a normal egg.
Some, however, claim that preserved egg has more protein, cholesterol, and less carbohydrates than its normal version. To-date, there is no scientific evidence to support the claim, and we should be more cautious on believing on these claim until proper evaluation has been done.
Nevertheless, it has been found that the dietary cholesterol in eggs has only a small insignificant effect on blood LDL cholesterol. Furthermore, eggs are very nutritious as they are a natural source of at least 11 different vitamins and minerals as well as high quality protein, omega-3 fats and antioxidants. They make an important contribution to a healthy, well balanced diet.
What is a serve of preserved egg?
Two large preserved eggs (120g) are equal to one serve of meat/alternatives group. Though consumer should be aware of its sodium content!
Do you enjoy having preserved eggs?
Let me know!
Bye for now.
Eva xo
References
Australian Eggs Industry. (2015). Health and Nutrition. Retrieved from http://www.eggs.org.au/health-and-nutrition/nutrition/
Egg Nutrition Council. (2015). What are the nutrients in eggs? Retrieved from http://www.enc.org.au/faq/
Australian Government – Department of Health. Lean Meat and poultry, fish, eggs, tofu, nuts and seeds and legumes/beans. Retrieved from https://www.eatforhealth.gov.au/food-essentials/five-food-groups/lean-meat-and-poultry-fish-eggs-tofu-nuts-and-seeds-and
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