Naturally Dyed Easter Eggs?
I've seen many articles posted about people wanting to use "natural dyes" for their easter eggs. After some research on how people have done it, I decided to try it. Here's what worked and what didn't.
I started with ingredients that I had available in my house which are known stainers (such as to my white chef coats, cutting boards, etc.)
Day 1:
I mix each ingredient with 1 cup of boiling water. I added 1 tablespoon white distilled vinegar (unless otherwise noted) and allowed to cool to too temperature. I started with raw eggs (fortuitous on my sake) and soaked each egg for about 1 hour. Most of the colors hadn't started to be absorbed by the shell. At this point I moved each the containers to the refrigerator for another hour. Most colors were very light and pastel, if at that. I gave up for the night.
Day 2:
Since I started with raw eggs, I boiled the eggs in the dye, one at a time. Success!!!! Most colors worked, some were still pretty light. (see below on boiling eggs)
So over all, pretty eggs with no artificial dyes are achievable, however if you want bright brilliant colors, I recommend boiling the eggs in the colored water.
Here's what worked:
Boiling the eggs in colored water (all colors)
Gold: Add 2 tsp. turmeric powder to 1 cup water with 1 tbsp. white distilled vinegar
Orange: Add 1 tsp. paprika to 1 cup water with 1 tbsp. white distilled vinegar
Dark Pink: Use equal parts of beet juice (canned or homemade) and water with 1 tbsp. white distilled vinegar
Dark Purple: Use 1 cup of blueberries, fresh or frozen to 1 cup water with 1 tbsp. white distilled vinegar
Tan: Use 1 tbsp. green tea or 1 tea bag to 1 cup water with 1 tbsp. white distilled vinegar
Molted brown: Use 1 tbsp. herbal tea (I used raspberry) or 1 tea bag to 1 cup water with 1 tbsp. white distilled vinegar
Deep Brown: Use 1 tbsp. black tea or 1 tea bag to 1 cup water with 1 tbsp. white distilled vinegar
Here's what didn't work as well:
Soaking the eggs in the colored water (most colors)
Light Orange: finely shred 1 carrot and boil it with one cup of water then add 1 tbsp. white distilled vinegar
Light Green: Puree 1 leaf of kale, a handful of spinach, or a bunch of parsley in a blender with 1 cup water with 1 tbsp. white distilled vinegar. (seemed to weaken the integrity of the shell)
Light Blue: Use 1 cup of blueberries, fresh or frozen to 1 cup water with 1 tbsp. baking soda. (Might work better if you used more blueberries/ baking soda and less water).
How to boil eggs like a pro.
In a large sauce pan carefully place your raw eggs. Cover with cold water. Bring to a hard boil. Remove from heat, and let sit in the hot water for 10-12 minutes. Carefully drain off water and let cool.
(do this procedure, with the colored water)
Time for egg salad!!!!
