Natural Dyes for Easter
Eggs
This year instead of using a coloring kit from
the grocery store, why not use some natural dyes. Here are some
ideas. Usually, the more of the natural ingredient you use and the
longer the egg soaks (maybe even overnight) the darker the color
will be.
REMEMBER: Not all of these eggs will be safe to eat. Do not eat eggs
that sit in hot water for many hours or overnight. Save those for
decorations.
Red
Save the skins from red onions and boil with the eggs for 1/2 to 1
hour. Remember the more skins you use and the longer you soak the
darker the color will be. A smaller amount of skins will produce a
nice lavender.
Pink
Soak your hardboiled eggs in cranberry juice or the juice from
pickled beets.
Violet Blue
Soak your hardboiled eggs overnight in hot water to which you have
added violet blossoms.
Lavender
Soak your hardboiled eggs in grape juice, or, add 2 teaspoons of
lemon juice to the Violet Blue water to lighten the color.
Yellow
To a cup of hot water, add 1 to 1 1/2 teaspoons of tumeric and 1/2
teaspoon vinegar.
Golden Tan
Save the skins from yellow onions. Add them to the water when you
hardboil your eggs.
Brown
To a cup of hot water, add 1 Tablespoon of instant coffee, and 1/2
teaspoon vinegar.
Green
Add 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda to a bowl of the water from Violet
Blue before soaking your eggs. You can also soak your eggs in liquid
chlorophyll. (Buy it at the pet store or drug store.)
Pretty Pastels
You can rub blueberries and cranberries right on the shells for soft
blues and pink. Blend them for another pretty result. |