Crack the hard boiled eggs lightly on a hard surface or hitting gently with a teaspoon to create small cracks evenly over the shell

Place star anise into a mortar and break into rough pieces with a pestle

Place eggs, star anise, salt, soy sauce and tea leaves into a pot and cover with cold water

Bring to the boil and simmer gently for about two hours, topping up water to keep the eggs submerged

Leave the eggs to cool in the cooking liquid, place into the refrigerator for twelve hours for the flavour to truly penetrate

When the eggs are peeled they have a very attractive marble effect and are a tasty snack or addition to any picnic or barbecue