No more fizzy tablets! No more crazy pouches of coloring! Yes we are obsessed with doing things the hard way at times, but this year you may want to think about tossing out the store bought kits! Enjoy a great afternoon of fun while teaching your kids a little bit of a science lesson! This year say no to uncertain dyes and yes to organic Easter egg coloring! To obtain different colors for your Easter eggs, use the following materials:
Blue: Canned Blueberries, Red Cabbage Leaves (boiled), Purple Grape Juice
Brown: Strong Coffee, Instant Coffee, Black Walnut Shells (boiled), Black Tea
Golden Brown: Dill Seeds
Orange Brown: Chili Powder
Gold: Turmeric
Green: Spinach Leaves (boiled)
Greenish Yellow: Yellow Delicious Apple Peels (boiled)
Grey Purple or red grape juice or beet juice
Lavender: Small Quantity of Purple Grape Juice, Violet Blossoms plus 2 tsp Lemon Juice, Red Zinger Tea
Orange: Yellow Onion Skins (boiled), Carrots, Paprika
Pink: Beets, Cranberries or Juice, Raspberries, Red Grape Juice, Juice from Pickled Beets
Red: Lots of Red Onions Skins (boiled), Pomegranate juice, Canned Cherries (with syrup), Raspberries
Purple: Violet Blossoms, Hibiscus tea, Small Quantity of Red Onions Skins (boiled), Red Wine
Yellow: Orange or Lemon Peels (boiled)
DIRECTIONS: Add a tablespoon of white vinegar for each cup of water used and one of the items from the chart above. Simmer eggs for 20 minutes.
- Eggs colored with natural dyes have a dull finish and are not glossy. After they are dry, you can rub the eggs with cooking oil or mineral oil to give them a soft sheen
- You need to use your own judgment about exactly how much of each natural to use. Except for spices, place a handful (or two or three handfuls) of each in a saucepan.
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Add tap water to come at least one inch above the natural dye materials.
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Bring the water just to a boil, and then reduce the heat to low. Let simmer about 15 minutes or up to an hour until you like the color obtained.
