Dyeing Eggs Naturally
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.
Your kitchen is full of natural dyes. Common food items such as red cabbage,
onion skins, and coffee can be used to transform plain white eggs into
colorful Easter gems. Kids will especially love discovering all the different
colors they can create -- let them experiment using hard-boiled eggs and bowls of
cold dyes.
Tools and Materials
Natural dyeing agents (red cabbage, turmeric, onion skins, and beets)
3-quart pot (or larger)
White vinegar
Strainer
Small bowls
Eggs
Large metal spoon
Paper towels
Drying rack
Dye Recipes
Select a dyeing agent, and place it in the pot using the amount listed
below. Add 1 quart water and 2 tablespoons white vinegar to pot; if more water is
necessary to cover ingredients, proportionally increase the amount of
vinegar. Bring to a boil, then lower heat. Allow the ingredients to simmer for 30
minutes. Strain dye into a bowl.
Red-cabbage dye: 4 cups chopped cabbage
Turmeric dye: 3 tablespoons turmeric
Onion-skin dye: 4 cups onion skins (skins of about 12 onions)
Beet dye: 4 cups chopped beets
Cold-Dipping Method
With this method, the eggs and the ingredients for the dye are boiled
separately. Using a metal spoon, lower cooled hard-boiled eggs into a bowl of
cooled dye, and let them soak for as little as 5 seconds or as long as overnight,
depending on the depth of color you desire. Remove eggs with spoon, pat dry
with paper towels, and let dry on a wire rack. The cold-dipping method
produces subtle, translucent shades, but can result in uneven coloring unless the
eggs are rotated vigilantly while in the dye. For hollow eggs that will last
indefinitely, cold-dip raw eggs, then _blow them out_
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Boiled Method
This method involves boiling the eggs with the dye; the heat allows the dye
to saturate the shells, resulting in intense, more uniform color. Set raw
eggs in a pot of strained dye; bring to a boil for the amount of time specified
in our _color glossary_
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eggs as with the cold-dipping method.
Finish (optional)
Natural dyes tend to fade over time, so finish any eggs you plan to keep
with a matte or gloss acrylic spray varnish. To create an egg-spraying stand,
stick a 6-inch length of wire into a block of Styrofoam; prop a hollow egg onto
the wire through one of its holes. Spray egg with a coat of varnish in a
well-ventilated area, and let dry.
Color Glossary
Natural dyes can sometimes produce unexpected results, so don't be surprised
if, for example, your red-cabbage dye yields blue eggs. Use the following
guide to help you achieve the colors you desire.
