Naturally colored Easter eggs are undoubtedly the best way to celebrate a Green Easter! Perfect for creating a wonderful centerpiece, fun to make with kids too, and super affordable. These delightful Easter decorations have a long history of crafting behind them: that of getting colors from nature.
To make beautifully colored eggs, all you need is a pot, some white vinegar, and the natural dyes that Mother Nature provides. You probably already have many ingredients in your pantry: onions, coffee, turmeric. All the ingredients needed for dyeing are easily found at any grocery store.
There are two methods essential for naturally coloring Easter eggs: cold dyeing and hot dyeing. In cold dyeing The eggs are boiled separately from the dye, which is then cooled before being immersed. Those using this method will need to turn the eggs occasionally while they are immersed in the dye (about 30 minutes) to allow the color to spread throughout the shell. The resulting colors are delicate. To make them more intense, you can extend the immersion time in the dye, but more importantly, you can repeat the immersions, letting the eggs dry after each immersion.
In the hot dyeing The eggs are boiled directly in the dye. This way, thanks to the heat, the colors penetrate deeper into the shell and the colors appear more intense.
A little secret: if you want more colors, dip white eggs and brown eggs in the same shades: the colors react differently depending on the color base of the shell!
Naturally color eggs in a few simple steps
- Place a large pot filled with water and white vinegar on the stove.
- Bring to the boil and add the ingredients that will make the dye (see below for colors and doses!)
- Lower the heat and simmer for 30 minutes
- Strain the dye into a container (which may stain). Let it cool and bring the dye to room temperature.
- Submerge the hard-boiled eggs and let them soak for at least 30 minutes. For more intense colors, soak them longer (up to overnight) or repeat the process.
- Alternatively, boil the eggs directly in the dye.
- Remove the eggs and let them dry (you can use the packaging itself)
The colors of nature to celebrate Easter!
For each cup of water (240 ml), add one tablespoon of vinegar and the following ingredients:
Red = 1 cup red onion peel (lavender on white eggs, red on brown eggs)
Yellow = 2 tablespoons of turmeric (be careful when handling turmeric, as you know its splendid yellow color is indelible!)
Blue = 1 cup chopped purple cabbage (blue on white eggs, green on brown eggs)
Orange = 1 cup onion peel (orange on white eggs, rusty red on brown eggs)
Rose = 1 cup chopped beets
