Songhua Century Egg (Pine-patterned Pidan)
白身に咲く雪の結晶！アミノ酸が結晶化した最高級ピータン
Description
The most common dark brown, translucent century egg (duck egg aged in alkaline mud) sold in Chinese supermarkets. This premium grade features beautiful white pine-needle (or snowflake) patterns on the egg white. These patterns are amino acid crystals formed by protein breakdown, proving the umami is maximized.
Classification: Everyone, Ingredient, Egg Products, Century Egg, Duck Egg, Fermented Food, Snack, Cold Dish
Shops selling Songhua Century Egg (Pine-patterned Pidan)
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The How to use section below is a general reference, not instructions from the listed shops.
How to use
Ingredients
- Duck eggs
- Salt
- Tea leaves
- Sodium carbonate(Alkaline salt)
Instructions
- [Typical Uses]
- [Liangban Pidan (Cold Century Egg)]: Peel, cut into wedges, and drench in grated garlic, black vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, and chili oil as an appetizer.
- [Pidan Shou Rou Zhou]: Mince with pork and boil in congee.
- Top cold tofu to make 'Pidan Doufu'.
Learn more Substitutes, pairings, tips
Key spices
White is tasteless and bouncy like jelly; yolk has intense fermented depth and ammonia aroma like cheese or sea urchin
Substitutes at Japanese supermarkets
(Irreplaceable. Unique flavor profile)
Pairing
Cold Beer / Plain Congee / Tea
Trivia
Sold either traditionally coated in mud/rice husks or washed and vacuum-packed. Recently, packages labeled 'Lead-free craft' (health-conscious method without lead) are the absolute mainstream.
Eating tips & etiquette
Even those who dislike the unique 'ammonia smell' of regular Pidan can enjoy high-quality Songhua Pidan, as it has less odor and pure rich yolk umami. Peeling and exposing it to air for 15 mins before eating dissipates the ammonia smell.
Allergen
Eggs