The Formulas for Naturally Dyed Easter Eggs
For each cup of water use:
- 1 cup shredded beets = pink on white eggs, maroon on brown eggs
- 1 cup red onion skins = lavender or red eggs
- 1 cup chopped purple cabbage = blue on white eggs, green on brown eggs
- 1 cup yellow onion skins = orange on white eggs, rusty red on brown eggs
- 2 tablespoons ground turmeric = yellow eggs
- 1 bag Red Zinger tea = lavender eggs
- Add one tablespoon white vinegar to every cup of strained dye liquid.
- For every dozen eggs, plan on using at least four cups of dye liquid.
The right color
Kitchen’s editors tested the method several times and found that the number of immersion in the dye is more important than the time spent in the dye. The more spots in the dye, the darker the color will be. Our point of view? You can really use the final color.
Let’s start
You will need a hard-boiled eggs, room temperature then follow the previous formula
Instructions
1.Collect your ingredients: You can make separate batches of different colors, or you can make large batches of single colors. Follow the ratios of each ingredient given above to make more or less dyes.
2.Add water to the pan: Pour the dye to be made into the pan.
3.Start making dyes: add dyes (purple cabbage, onion skin, etc.) and boil water
4.Adjust the heat: turn down the heat and simmer for 15 to 30 minutes.
5.Check the color: When the dye reaches a hue that is several shades darker than the egg you want, the dye is ready. Drop a small amount of dye on the white plate to check the color. When the dye becomes dark, remove the pot from the fire and let the dye cool to room temperature. (I put the pot on the fire escape and it cooled in about 20 minutes.)
6.Strain the dye: Pour the cooled dye through a fine mesh filter into another pan (or into a bowl, if available, then pour it back into the original pan).
7.Add vinegar: Stir the vinegar into the dye-use 1 tablespoon of vinegar for each cup of filterable liquid.
8.Pour the dye on the egg: Place the room temperature egg in a single layer on a baking sheet or other container, and then carefully pour the cooled dye on the egg. Make sure the egg is completely submerged.
9.Put the eggs in the refrigerator: Transfer the eggs in the dye to the refrigerator and cool them until they reach the desired color.
10.Dry and oil the eggs: Dry the eggs carefully, then apply a little oil to each egg. Polish with paper towels. Store the eggs in the refrigerator until ready to eat (or hide).
