Institute and Market staff gathered to dye Easter eggs with natural food dyes. There is a lot of trial and error, and the results may not be what you expect, but it is definitely a fun activity to try. Personally, I’m pleased with these experimental, artistic eggs!
Materials/Supplies:
Small or medium size pot
White vinegar
Strainer
Small bowls or mason jars
Eggs (at least 1 week old if hard boiling)
Large metal spoon
Paper towels
Optional:
Neutral oil, such as vegetable or grapeseed
Matte or gloss acrylic spray varnish
Panty hose
Flowers, leaves, herbs
Produce To Try: Approximately 1.5-2 cups water and 1-2 tbsp of white vinegar per:
Beets, shredded, 1 cup
Coffee, brewed, 1 cup (no additional water)
Dill seed, 2 tbsp
Green tea, brewed, 1 cup (no additional water)
Mullein leaves, 1 cup
Purple Cabbage, 1 cup
Raspberries or Blackberries, 1 cup
Red Chile powder, 2 tbsp
Red Onion Skins, 1 cup
Spinach or Kale, 1 cup
Turmeric, ground, 2 tbsp
Yellow Onion Skins, 1 cup
Instructions:
- Bring water to boil then add dye matter for one color. Simmer, covered for for 15-30 minutes.
- Let dye cool, then pour it through a fine-mesh strainer into the container you will use to dye eggs (small mason jars or other that will not become stained). Stir in vinegar.
- Gently submerge a hardboiled egg to the dye, making sure it is completely covered.
- Transfer the eggs in the dye to the refrigerator and chill until the desired color is reached.
- When the eggs are the color you like, carefully remove from the dye and dry with a paper towel. Store them in the refrigerator until it is time to eat (or hide) them.
Notes and Variations:
- This is the method we wish we had tried! Cook the eggs in the dye bath. Bring liquid to an easy boil over medium heat. Lower heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Start checking the color by gently raising an egg out with a slotted spoon. Do not cook for more than 20 minutes. If, after 20 minutes, the eggs are not a deep enough color, remove the pot from heat, cool to room temperature, then place in refrigerator until desired color is reached.
- Use flowers, leaves, and herbs to create patterns, as seen in this video.
- Use electrical tape to create patterns, such as gingham, as seen in this video.
- Use a white crayon or other wax-based substance to add patterns to the eggs prior to submerging into the dye.
- If you want your eggs to shine, apply a few drops of vegetable oil to egg and polish with a soft cloth or paper towel.
- Create new colors by soaking an egg in one solution after another.
- You can also use empty eggs. Using a straight pin, carefully pierce the small end of an egg. (Tip: If it is difficult to pierce the end, use sandpaper to thin it down.) Wiggle the pin in a circular motion to widen the hole. Repeat this process for the large end of egg. Insert paper clip into second hole, and move around to break the yolk. Hold the egg over a bowl. Over hole in small end, use a straw to blow out contents. Repeat process until egg is empty. Rinse egg shell under running water. Return egg to carton and dry for at least 3 hours.
- Create a mottled/spotted effect by adding a tbsp of oil to the dye before adding the egg. Use a fork to break up the floating oil then carefully roll the egg in the oil before submerging it. After you have let the egg soak for a while, you can repeat the process with another color for a two-tone effect.
History:
The tradition of dyeing eggs goes back to medieval times when people made “pace” eggs to celebrate spring and Pasch, the original name given to Easter or Passover.
The egg, an ancient symbol of new life, has been associated with pagan festivals celebrating spring.
One explanation for dying eggs is that eggs were formerly a forbidden food during the Lenten season, so people would paint and decorate them to mark the end of the period of penance and fasting, then eat them on Easter as a celebration.
Sources: www.marthastewart.com and www.history.com