Despite its unusual name, tea is not the dominant flavor in tea egg, a popular, traditional snack item that originated in Zhejiang, but is found throughout China. The snack consists of an egg that is hard-boiled in (usually black) tea, soy sauce, and numerous spices such as anise, cinnamon, cloves, fennel, and peppercorns, which add a savory, slightly salty note to a normal egg.

Tea egg is usually sold by street vendors, but it can also be found in numerous Chinese markets and Asian restaurants. It is commonly consumed on its own or served with accompaniments such as noodles or rice. Traditionally, tea eggs are eaten during Chinese New Year, symbolizing wealth, prosperity, and fertility.