What Are Century Eggs?

These green and black preserved eggs don’t really look like food, but the chemistry of fermentation turns pidan, or century eggs, into a Chinese comfort food. In this week’s Reactions episode, we’re talking about the science of these unusual treats.


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Credits:
Executive Producer: George Zaidan
Producer: Elaine Seward
Writer: Alexa Billow
Scientific Consultant: Palanivel Ganesan, Ph.D.

Music:

Mako Yama - At Starry Night
Roberto Daglio - Bisbossa


Sources:


Ever wonder why dogs sniff each others' butts? Or how Adderall works? Or whether it's OK to pee in the pool? We've got you covered: Reactions a web series about the chemistry that surrounds you every day.

Produced by the American Chemical Society.

[ACSReactions]

What weird foods can you not live without and what freaky fermented foods would you like us to explain next?

[torquettalk]

When I was young, I really thought they were stored for a hundred years lol

[nicholasjoseph]

It has a cheesy smell. Not the cheap cheese, but the expensive artisan cheese. The texture of the white(or black) also differs depending on the maker but you're looking for is the soft jellylike but firm and the yolk shouldn't be too hard. People think century egg as being literally a century old but think of it as cheesy egg and you'll probably down it with nary a thought.

[DraconicA]

It's surprisingly delicious! I eat some of its slices as a snack sometime. If you can eat cheese, then you should be able to eat century egg.

[halloranedward]

Fun practical joke. Color one half of the egg with a marker bright red color the other side with a pink highlighter.... Around August "find" the egg and tell people it's a lost Easter egg. Procede to curiously open the egg ( in front of people that have never seen a century egg ) and try a bite of it.

[KarvaregzelLibraryMythical]

Dont tell me HowToBasic had another channel and drag me here into the real "HowToThings"

[smoya]

Kid: Mom when are we eating yet?

Mom: 20 days when the eggs are done

[noahi.]

So this is where green eggs and ham came from.

[evilpumpkinii]

(Lip Smacking) Ahh man, I could really go for Salty’s right now

[amogus]

Sucks that Salty took this off his menu

[upsidedownbagofflour]

And now I know their cool fucking backstory

[tjhoz]

Lol...it's incredible how closed minded people can be about food. Commenting about how "disgusting" this is, yet never batting an eye at all the cheese and yogurt they eat.

[AllenHanPR]

I grew up with this stuff. It has a weird acquired taste. Almost metallic.

[frzferdinand]

Century eggs in rice porridge with some ginger, saffron, and spices... perfect meal on a cold day.

[avnvn]

Its texture is really great and it goes well with congee(porridge), but I once ate one with a sour tasted yolk which shouldn’t be sour at but still I love it very much

[tuskinekinase]

This is making me nostalgic...We used to have this on our CNY table in my grandma's house, a must-have appetizer, eat with ham, steamed bread and congee. Come to think about it, actually quite similar to how people eat cheese...

[jason]

As a Chinese I will confirm that yes, this thing is damn good tasting. Just dont eat too much!

[DJRaguindinGame]

Guys, legit, don't knock it till you try it. I once was a picky eater kid just like you, but believe me when I say this is surprisingly delicious.
I wouldn't have it with all meals but it pairs well with porridge

[wmbtv]

Ah chemistry my old nemesis we meet again.

[thesneaker]

and now you know my cool fucking backstory