What formed the beautiful patterns in Pine Flower Century Egg?

Dai_Jiawen_213676

What formed the beautiful patterns that look like snowflakes or pine flower on century eggs? I will like to learn more about the chemical reaction involved. Thanks.

brian_martin2001

Those are dendritic crystals of various salts: both naturally occurring and added to the egg in the curing process. They form in a similar way that ice crystals form on very cold windows.