Imagine you're on a first date and you want to make a good impression - you need to start with a gentle introduction. That's basically what tempering is - introducing the egg to the hot liquid in a way that's not too shocking. You do this by slowly pouring the hot liquid into the egg mixture while whisking constantly.
A good way to think about it is to compare it to merging two lanes of traffic - you need to ease into it slowly to avoid any accidents. If you add the hot liquid too quickly, the eggs will curdle and you'll end up with a batch of scrambled eggs instead of a smooth, creamy sauce.
Now, you might be wondering why tempering is so important - after all, what's the big deal about a few curdled eggs? But trust us, it makes all the difference in the world. A well-tempered egg mixture can elevate a dish from mediocre to sublime, and who doesn't want that?
How To Temper In An Egg