How Do Century Eggs Get Black?
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- Опубліковано 21 сер 2024
- Century eggs are one of the most misunderstood dishes in Chinese cuisine. A black gelatin egg that tastes like ripe cheese with a whiff of ammonia, it’s often used in late-night comedy shows as a sight gag. But how are they made, and what’s the science that makes them turn black?
Plus, we found a golden century egg maker in Sichuan to see if they taste different.
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Producer: Clarissa Wei
Videographer: Patrick Wong
Editor: Nicholas Ko
Animation: Ray Ngan
Mastering: Victor Peña
Music: Audio Network
#chinesefood #centuryegg #foodscience
It's an absolute crime that Simon S. Salty took these off the menu at Salty's.
YESSS I WAS EXPECTING THIS COMMENT
“Now you know my cool fucking backstory”
Yes i was delicious
Man of culture
The public just wasn't ready
and now i know the century egg's cool fucking backstory.
Thank you!
Yeah, it was actually pretty cool
Now all that's left is to unearth it from its resting place in the Shang Bai Pai forest.
*cruel backstory
Lmao
Been getting these from Salty’s for years now(until recently) and I’m head over heels for these things.
can't believe Salty took them off the menu. at least now we know their cool fucking backstory
I've been eating there since I was a homunculus.
@@imjustlookingformywatch unfortunately the average customers weren't ready for them, so they sold terribly.
@@baonkang5990 I'm sure there are a ton of people reading these comments wondering what the hell Salty's is.
@@imjustlookingformywatchme rn
(Lip Smacking) Ahh man, I could really go for Salty’s right now
someone is gonna read these comments and wonder who the fuck Salty is
@@imjustlookingformywatch I am that someone.
@@nellz72 Simon S. Salty is a character from the show Smiling Friends. He runs a fast food restaurant and he used to have century eggs on the menu. In the episode he appears he is immediately violently murdered.
@@imjustlookingformywatch Thank you for that! I have been on here seeing all these things about Salty and wondering who that was, and now I know!
@@nellz72 you may want to watch the show its pretty good
I feel like her answer was more “we make ours yellow so people don’t associate them with the black ones that historically have contained lead” and less “they’re yellow because if they’re black they’d have lead them...”
Same, I found it a bit of a dick move too with the segue to the slightly know it all flex explanation about Maillard reaction. Don’t get me wrong, I think the vid’s intention is right... by proceeding to advertise yellow eggs when people clicked for black eggs🤭🤭🤭
Hers is more like spice flavored half-cured century egg.
it can still be black without lead, but they're making it yellow so some ppl worry less about it
I also think because yellow is much better looking as well. Like you wouldn't eat somethat was that black. You would think it was rotting, but if you have it as yellow as with a yolk of the egg people would most likely eat it because it still looks like an egg.
@@WhyYouMadBoi Eh, it depend on what type of black it is. The century egg color look closer to a gelatin color than something that become rotten or burn to ashes. Think of boba tea for example
Just a note for those who have hard time imagining the flavor: the white of the egg is gelatinous, umami - sort of like a soy sauce flavored jello. The yolk has the texture of a Brie cheese, and tastes earthy, creamy, and sort of like a boiled yolk mixed with blue cheese, with an ammoniac after bite same as in ripe Bries. It pairs well with (chili, garlic, soy, vinegar, sliced cucumbers/tofu) or (diced into chicken/pork congees). By itself, it can be too ammonia-ey and umami but when paired properly, it contrasts/brings out the flavor of the other ingredients. Like adding blue cheese into a salads and sauces to round out the flavors.
Helpful thank you!
Or you can eat it with pickled ginger and sesame oil.
I ate a slice of century egg by itself and was like nope. I would try it with other stuff next time. Thanks for the tip!
I just started adding back eggs into my diet so I definitely wanna try this but my country probably has zero idea what this is and they'll probably be disgusted cause they don't understand so to another country I go😶👌🏽
thank u!
“And now you know my COOOLLL f’ing backstory.” - Century Egg
I was looking for a smiling friends quote lol.
I hate that Salty's took these off the menu
I hate salty, and his iconic 7pm naps
This new healthy direction for the food is killing the business
@@timer4164 it killed Salty too.
I ate these as a child. They are good with Rice and soy sauce.
I like to eat them with rice congee/porridge...whatever the correct English term is :)
@@raquelgarcia2608 Especially when you're sick like for some reason, it tastes even better haha
@@peachesbunny stronger flavor maybe?
*Cps wants to know your location*
Oh, same.
"To get to the bottom of this ancient traditional recipe, we found someone who doesn't do it the traditional way!"
:D
I mean they literally just said they just add less lime and ash than the traditional way that’s pretty traditional to me
Yeah and they also cut the time process to make their signature egg , which other black century egg took longer time to get that black colour.
As for me , i think the black century egg tasted too strong 😂 , and this golden century egg just fit my taste buds ❤️
🤔🤔
@@djeetayeet2813 Growing up eating Asian cuisine, my taste buds are well-adjusted to strong flavors.
I could eat black century eggs without side dishes, though having it with tofu and thick soy sauce would be nice.
@@SGprooo porridge and a century egg
Best comfort food
Smiling friends give me the courage to try this out.
I really can't believe this got taken off of the salty's menu I'm so mad dude
Imagine fast food chains just suddenly adding century eggs out of the blue, how crazy would that be
I remember picking up a couple of these and a salty delight on my way home from work back in the day. Very sad it got taken off the menu and replaced with the Super-green bowl. But hey at least now we know their cool fucking backstory.
İt makes me so ANGRY man i dont know what to think no more man get out of my head get out of my head get out of my head !!!
@@mehmetseyit7210 bro you might need to take some sleeping pills. No one's ever done anything crazy on sleeping pills.
"i've been making century eggs since 1983"
my stupid ass thinking it's actually a century year old eggs: *_wait a damn minute_*
I dont even know why do I end up here? Literally it is 5AM tf
@@saksethaboth6888 sleep is for the weak
Don’t you know century egg makers are time travellers?!
@@darrenlee8334 thank u for that info i'll make sure to be a century egg maker in the future
@@fishflakes_ in the future indeed
Title: "How do Century Eggs become black?"
Video: "how to make yellow eggs"
But fundamentally they also explain how to make it black?
But the yellow color is actually achieved by delaying the blackening process. So it is like a piece of less toasted bread.
😂Yeah, pretty accurate. I actually forgot the title till I read this.
🤔🤔
True
Wait century eggs are real? I thought it was made up by Simon S Salty
no they existed before Salty's. still mad he took them off the menu. but hey at least now you know their cool fucking backstory.
I’m still mad at salty’s for taking these off the menu
at least now you know their cool fucking backstory
That old lady looks so passionate and the way she talks is so relaxing. I wanna hear more of her talking about her eggs
@G Jacques 👀
@@goatinatrenchcoat it's the way the commenter said "Talking about her eggs"
Randall Mok Jialung i think the first replier thought that this commenter is a creep lol.
@@caminey7455 exactly
@@randallmokjialung3592 😆 when read it first time your like wtf but then you realize we are watching a video on duck eggs
"And now you know my cool fucking backstory."
Now I know his cool f*cking backstory
which drawer has the tape in it
still mad salty took them off the damn menu. they were more iconic than his 7pm nap.
Yall see this and go "ew" but it genuinely tastes amazing
I am curious, how does it taste exactly?
Lol nice try
@@user-ec1vt8cz3y Actually, it tastes like regular egg. But, the texture is similar to those of soft-boiled eggs but the center is more creamy and gooey while the outer part is more gelatinious. Century eggs don't have distinct smell, though. There's also no aftertaste. Usually, these eggs are used as ingredients rather than eating them plain. Honestly, i eat it for the texture. It's one of my favorite foods.
@@user-ec1vt8cz3y egg that's creamy??
HONESTLY
I’m Swiss and I love these eggs so soo much, you really can’t judge them from the appearance or from the name. I first tried them at the Shanghai airport, they were in this pork congee, the little pieces of eggs were bouncy and delicious, the congee was sooo good🤣🤣🤣
It's called 皮蛋瘦肉粥 in China.
My favorite congee in the entire world 😍 Salty pork with century egg congee
@@user-ku1fv8gd4s congee with preserved egg and pork
that congee is my favorite 😍
@@user-ku1fv8gd4s I'm glad you wrote it in a language no one can understand lol. What's it called?
"Yes I was delicious..."
Now you know my cool fucking backstory
Too bad Salty took him off his DAMN menu
smiling friends
I had to watch this before taking my iconic 7pm nap
and now we know their cool fucking backstory
Thank you
I'm still so mad Salty took them off his damn menu.
Here after Smiling Friends, like Charlie said:
Ok you have to try at least once.
now you know their cool fucking backstory
@@imjustlookingformywatch That is pretty cool!
@@luis.am.d2721 still mad Salty took them off the menu
The cutest part about this video is seeing the mom feed her daughter with the same chopsticks she uses. Idk it’s just so nostalgic and a loving part of Asian families growing up to me.
I'm guessing this video is getting recommended to people now after binge watching Smiling Friends clips.
I searched it up because of curiosity
Honestly, I'm surpised it took so long to get to me lol
They are delicious
ray mak
Hi Ray Mak
Senpaaaii
U came in my dream
I can’t escape your comments
No joke, I legit came here right after watching the scene from smiling friends where they buried the century egg in China.
cool fucking backstory
Sounds delicious.
And now you know their cool fucking backstory
Glad I learned about these eggs' cool fucking backstory
Yeah, it’s pretty cool
Smiling friends intensifies
And now you know their COOL f***ing backstory!
The pickled eggs have snowflake patterns on it, honestly it looks really cool.
that means they are elite
We Chinese also called it "松花蛋” which means "Pine flower egg"
us asians seeing that people actually think this eggs are a century old:
👀
0
im asian and i actually thought those were 100 yrs old 😢 i was like, "howcouldpeopleeatthat"
my life is a lie
@@fishflakes_ for me it was the other way around...my parents always bought them for me since i was a toddler and i just called it black egg...and it was around 4 years ago that i realise people called it century eggs...its okay🤗
Only Chinese eat Songhua eggs
@@dodo-eu6ox its called songhua?? Oooo it sounded familiar...I am part chinese but i don't speak chinese😔 although i always aske my father to teach me
@@daaniaamelia3048 松花蛋 a more common name for the eggs
I came here after watching 'Smiling Friends'. Had no idea this was a real method! These century eggs look pretty interesting 👌🏻
Anyone here from Smiling Friends?
OH MY GOD IT'S A REAL THING
I love how soft spoken Zhi Hua is, it looks like a lot of hard work to make these pi dan. But I still have this question--what creates the white "snowflakes" in them??
That’s crystallized proteins. As the salt concentration increases, soluble proteins precipitate out and get crystallized, just like the protein crystals in aged cheese (Parmigiano, etc)
the leftist.
@@signumxmagnum I see what you did there
@@signumxmagnum this had me rolling
@@signumxmagnum ohmygod 😂😂😂 the babbling leftist SJW snowflakes
Can't believe an adult swim show brought me here.
It tastes really good actually. I really like it in my porridge and with pickled radish strips. Reminds me of when I was 7 and living in China
Same. It’s tastes really nice with porridge
@Sadeeq Hasan • 10 years ago That's called racism love, keep your bigoted beliefs to yourself.
@Sadeeq Hasan • 10 years ago They really don't love corona. Why would they love a virus that has killed tens of thousands of their own citizens and has ruined their day-to-day lives? Everyone has been negatively impacted by the virus but its people like you who use their racist beliefs to hurt others. The racism perpetrated upon not just Chinese people but any East Asians during the coronavirus outbreak are disgusting. For you to not only enable those racist stereotypes and beliefs but also contribute to them is a huge reflection on your character. I can't believe there are people like you. Grow up, it's the 21st century and your racist beliefs have no place in modern society.
@Sadeeq Hasan • 10 years ago You say you don't hate the people in China but hate is all you're preaching. Your second sentence is incredibly backhanded and even if you don't think so it's racist as well. First of all, dog eating only really started when China was in extreme poverty and couldn't even afford to get normal food. The thing you're making fun of is the poverty China's people went through. Second of all, dog eating is such a small thing frowned upon by many of the new generation in China. Third of all, if someone hypothetically ate dog how is that worse than any other animal? I have a pet chicken and I would never eat chicken. People will invite me to go out to Chick-fil-a and what not but I don't flame them for eating the same animal as my pet. In some places in India cows are a sacred animal. But Indians don't go around yelling about how it's disgusting for others to eat beef because of their own beliefs. You may think you're not being racist but what you say does stem from a place of racism and hate.
Other cultures exist and just because it does fit what's "normal" for you doesn't mean you can judge others on it. Even still the practice is dying out fast.
@@connie_83 i am so sorry for this racist comments...i don't get why people hate chinese people that much.
3:03 i love how her description is just "daughter"
Yes I was delicious, but the public wasn't ready for it so I sold terribly and Salty took me off his DAMN menu and locked me away down here. And now you know my cool F*cking backstory...
Now you know my cooool fucking backstory
That is a cool backstory
I didn't know century eggs were real it just sounded like something Zach would make up for a joke. Guess that just shows how culturally ignorant I am
You guys are like Vox but documenting Chinese-related topics. Very well done videos - keep up the good work and I’m sure the channel has great potential for growth!
Just as a suggestion, I feel a good way to grow would be to advertise your content on FB groups like Subtle Asian Traits, Subtle Cantonese Traits etc
@@thetubesta subtle cantonese traits represent haha
@@thetubesta ??
There's no need to be cruel. You guys aren't as bad as Vox, don't listen to him.
@@BoopSnoot lol whats wrong with Vox? They're top tier in terms of UA-cam 'easy-to-digest' educational content imo.
For those who are interested in trying these eggs, dip them in vinegar (perfectly in the Chinese ones) it neutralizes the bitter basic taste in the egg and it is amazing.
Smiling Friends brought me here tbh
I wonder how many foods were discovered by alchemists.
"I'll try conjuring gold with duck egg this time..."
"nope, no gold. maybe I'll wrap the duck egg in mud for 3 months..."
"nope, no gold. maybe I'll add some soda ash..."
"nope, still no gold but it's edible...hmmm, let me add some spices to it..."
"well, forget about gold, I'm eating this!"
I don't think alchemist have anything to do with this. Someone probally drop the egg in the mud and later on find out that it's edible
@@dieptrieu6564 ...That's actually kinda what happened.
Sell century eggs, buy gold with profits.
@@dieptrieu6564 yep probably
My Vietnamese roomate put me onto to these, where ever you are David Thanks so much for showing me so many amazing viet and chinese food hope ur doing good man
The way it is described in its production actually makes me want to try it.
Now I know this foods coool fucking backstory
the ammonia in century egg makes it hard to consume by itself, but eaten with rice or congee, it's a match made in heaven.
Taste testing pitan should be done with those because kids who tasted pitan just by itself often get traumatized by it and hates it forever.
It's a very inappropriate thing to make people taste test pitan just by itself.
@therealDale yea, every food that contains ammonia often taste like shit on it's own. But when pitan is combined with other things like rice or bread or congee, the ammonia dissipates, leaving intense umami flavor and creamy savory egg flavor that can be enjoyed by anyone who likes egg.
But on it's own, the ammonia will overpower all other taste and it'll ruin your experience with it.
@James Watts yea, I love marmite because my 1st experience with it was when my friend baked me some toast, put tons of butter on it, then spread a tiny bit of marmite on top. I had bad info with it so I kind of reluctant to try and I thought that's not how you are supposed to try it. But I was so wrong, it's so damn good. It tasted like a salty savory treat with a punch of umami. So good. Now I can even spread a lot of it onto my toast, I enjoy it's acquired taste a lot now and prefer to have a lot of marmite on my toast. My sister though, she tasted my marmite out of the bottle without even asking me and then complained that I kept a rotten chocolate in the fridge and she threw my marmite away while I was working... it was heartbreaking cause it's so hard to get a bottle of marmite here.
@@kueapel911 If my sister did that I'd lock her out of my house. I hope you managed to get another jar of it coz it really is good.
@@plantedlife I had to order one online lol, but I got a few bottles of vegemite, it's easier to get here than marmite.
Try it with sesame oil. It's good.
Ah it’s so interesting and beautiful to see mud and spices be used as a culinary method. I wish I was introduced to it with this video. So many other youtubers who’ve shared this delicacy give it an unfair introduction. We can be humorous but still treat food with respect.
Let’s be honest who else is here because of that one smiling friends episode
Never had Century Eggs. I wish I could try them. The lady seems like a sweet aunty. Bless her.
don't try them raw ,add some soy sauce and vinegar.
@@user-ku1fv8gd4s And Tofu! Only good with Tofu.
@@michaelrenper796 huh? I've never had them with tofu why tofu?
Don't try them, you won't like them. You have to be used to them when growing up. If you try it now, you'd think you are eating something rotten.
I don’t know, they just taste really rich and sometimes salty
as it's highly alkaline, it's best eaten with some pickled veggies and vinegar to neutralize the alkali
Coincidentally, it tastes great when eaten with picked veggies. Century egg, pickled veggies and bacon make one hell of a sandwich i tell you.
Try century eggs with pickled ginger. It's heaven
@@Zawan007 with pickled leek bulbs is not bad either. I think the key is to cut the egg into smaller pieces, maybe into 8 wedges, so that more neutralization can take place to minimize the alkali aroma.
@@tkjho actually yes, you're right about that.
Meh, I snort century egg yolks
"Like an egg your grandmother bequeathed to you, maybe." I'm dying!
Who’s here from smiling friends 🧐
Right after his burial in his hometown
And now you know my cool fucking backstory
That is pretty cool
@@bigsmoke1156 thank you
Roach dog junior
So do we actually have to try these _at least_ once?
Pei Dan awesome with congee sooo good!
yes!
Pidan handan sauyuk juk best
the only way i can eat century eggs lol
in my opinion, we'd also like to eat Pidan with Chinese soy sauce/salt, vinegar and chilli sauce, like salad, it's usually served as a cold dish
i agree
To be honest her yellow century eggs look so much more appealing to eat than traditional ones.
Century egg is like coffee and wine. I hate it when I was child, but now I love it.
What the egg from smiling friends is real
2:56 imagine shaking that egg and you hear pillar men inside.
AYAYAYAYAYAYAYA three Flamboyant Aztec Gods of Fitness
Aztec strippers
MENACING
BRUH
And now you know their cooooooooooool fucking backstory
"I dont know how long that pickled egg has been there, but you should definitely eat it."
Yeah no kidding, they do taste like wet socks, especially "some" when the yolks are too runny.
But when you eat them a certain way, it just elevates things... kind of like salt. Like, if you eat salt on its own, its like... bruh, but when you add it to things like eggs etc. it just highlights things.
For C. Eggs, eat some noodles, then have a little yolk... the taste just cuts through, as if you're alternating between noodle and regular egg yolk.
I don't eat them on their own, and treat them as I would with salt, added on to things. Just some other ideas are on salad, combo'd with raw small chunks of onion + tomato etc.
I think that is how they are meant to be eaten.
It’s delicous so stfu
@@Emily-um3if clearly, a few words is too much to read for your underaged brain.
M-T I love it in rice porridge
@@niBBunn Good idea, might try that in the future.
The steps were basically the same as making salted eggs. My grandma used to make it all the time.
But she used brick powder/pasta & salt and left it for only 2 weeks.
Thanks for the video. It took me a minute to get used to the idea of initially eating them but once you realise it's not nearly as strange as eating Blue Stilton they really are delicious
Literally shaking rn that Salty took these off the menu
at least now you know their cool fucking backstory
goldthread hella underated
I've had them ever since I was a child, they're really good with rice porridge, lean minced meat and green onions
The lady is so chill and passionate.
What.. Century eggs are a real thing?
Now we know their *cool fucking backstory*
still so mad Salty took them off the damn menu
egg
egg
Hey. Guys look it’s Kaden, how u expected, seems like some kind of UA-cam recommendations?
can i offer you an egg in this trying time?
Its enough to make grown men cry
Suprised seeing you here kaden :)
I remember back in the day I used to stop off at Salty's and pick up one of these and a Salty Delight on my way home from work. unfortunately Salty took both off the damn menu. but at least now I know their cool fucking backstory.
I make pickled eggs often and loved but this recipe blows my mind! They're like not even in the same category, although I do have my own recipe too. In reference mine's peeled hard-boiled eggs, chopped beets and thinly sliced onions in a brine of vinegar, water, sugar, salt, peppercorns, star anise.
0:10 “like like like like like”
Not gonna lie I'm only here because of Smiling Friends
If you didn’t know, these come from the beautiful Chinese Shang Bai Pine forest.
"Yes...I was delicious..."
I LOVE century eggs. They have like a sweet but spicy taste to them.
THEYRE REAL??????
Americans making fun of eggs while they eat "Rocky Mountain Oysters"
Americans dont make fun of these eggs. I know because I am American. People love to crap on America huh. Stay free
@@strange4107 well not every American is nice like you. I found one who says that this kind of egg is rotten and disgusting and even gave a middle finger to it. Well most of the Americans really like to crap on other cultures and when we defend our cultures they will suddenly turn into "a raging kid". Trust me, I have seen a lot.
@@strange4107 I honestly wish alot more were as nice as you honestly I think, they look odd but I think that adout oysters to
@@strange4107 good on you, tbh, but i have to say, i see a lot more people dumping on our culture than you would think. It just matters where you look i guess
Loved this explanation! It was so entertaining, enjoyable and understandable! Congratulations for your content!
Pidan isn’t misunderstood broadly. Only misunderstood in the US.
Nah it is if not misunderstood, it is literally unknown to many whose countries has a minor Chinese presence. Not everyone is born and raised with and accustomed to Chinese, eh?
@@bigboiganiga8356 Rather than minor Chinese presence, it's probably minor Asian presence. Pretty much most East Asian and South East Asian culture has variations and/or similar to Pi Dan eggs, it's just how 'popular' the eggs are. Ours, for example, still require you to boil them, since they're still gooey after the process.
I never eat raw but when mix with porridge it was best wonderful
These eggs are actually very delicious, I’ve tried them many times, I recommend it :)
@sandeep patel including your mom
@sandeep patel What can I say, food is food.
@sandeep patel Oh, you're one of those. In that case, I'll see myself out. 👋🏻
@sandeep patel Its better for you to silent rather than you keep making problem around here.
@sandeep patel INNOCENT animals!?
Pls tell me that you are those brainless vegan people...
When my mom made this,and she says it's called century egg,I thought it's an egg that has been left for a century.
they’re so damn good... whenever i go visit my grandparents in china and they always serve them
pei dan is great with congee, probably too strong to eat alone
Sorry to be that person, but it's pi dan.
It’s pei Dan in Cantonese
Pi Dan for mandarin
I think Pei Dan is great to eat alone. Depending on the quality but most are great
Haam Dan is too strong tho.
@@silverstar501 i sometimes eat both of them by themselves, guess im just built different 😅
Now you know the century egg's cool ass backstory
Food science major here--just realized that I've been pronouncing Maillard wrong 💀
now that I think about it, I've eaten these for all my life but never have I ever questioned how the hell an egg turns clear
Nice interview, great marketing for the business. They're century eggs are pricy.
woah you've seen her yellow century eggs?!
@casleey Where can they be purchased?
They're not available for international delivery sadly. But if your ever in a local China region they do deliver within the country. Some of the restaurants in Shanghai use their eggs too I think.
@@TJ-cr5md just get it at your local chinese super market. They are not that rare.
@@tidai3403 i am aware... i was asking for the yellow ones but thanks.. she answered my question already
I like how the narrator/creator asserts multiple times that the lead fact is false, when it is correct and even goes so far as to twist the words of the woman who makes the eggs.