Skip the artificial dyes and learn how to create festive colors using natural ingredients. Natural Dyed Eggs are much better for you and are relatively easy to prepare during an Easter celebration.
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Why Is It Best to Avoid Artificial Dyes on Eggs?
In the past, you may have used artificial food dye when dipping eggs for Easter. While these dyes are convenient and come in different colors, they are not the best option to use.
Synthetic dyes have the potential to cause severe allergic reactions. Besides these reactions, the dyes can lead to hyperactivity in kids of all ages. Children with ADHD and autism are even more likely to be negatively affected by artificial dyes. Because of the health issues connected to artificial dyes, it is better to use natural dyes.
You can use natural ingredients to create Natural Dyed Easter Eggs. While it may require a bit more effort than merely adding drops of color to vinegar, these dyes are safe and fun to use. You can create beautiful colors for the eggs, including shades of pink, red, green, and blue.
The Ingredients to Use When Creating Natural Dyes for Eggs
You will need quite a few important ingredients when you are creating the natural dyes for eggs. The ingredients required include:
- Hard-Boiled Eggs. Boil your eggs in advance. You can always store them in the fridge!
- Beets. Use beets to create a reddish, pinkish color that will look great on the eggs.
- Red Cabbage. The red cabbage works perfectly when you want to create a naturally blue color for your eggs.
- Turmeric. Create yellow and orange colors using turmeric.
- Hibiscus Tea. Turn your eggs a light gray color using hibiscus tea.
- Parsley. Create the perfect natural shade of green using parsley.
- Vegetable Oil. Although optional, vegetable oil is good to rub on the eggs after you add color to them.
You may be amazed at how well these ingredients can transform eggs into beautiful, decorative eggs that look great when placed in Easter baskets.
Supplies to Have When Creating Your Natural Dyes and Dipping Your Eggs
Not only will you need several essential ingredients, but you will also need the right supplies to prepare your eggs. Make sure you have these supplies ready to use:
- Saucepan. Use a saucepan for your water and each ingredient that you will add to it.
- Knife. Grab a knife with a sharp blade to help you slice your ingredients down with ease.
- Grater. The grater comes in handy when using certain natural ingredients.
- Cutting Board. When slicing down ingredients, do it over a cutting board to keep everything in one spot.
- Fine Mesh Strainer. Grab a fine mesh strainer that you can use to strain the liquid after you have cooked your ingredients for several minutes.
- Cheesecloth. Depending on the size of the ingredients, a cheesecloth may be necessary for straining.
- Containers for Dipping. Choose large glass containers that you can use when dipping your eggs.
- Measuring Cup. Use a glass or plastic measuring cup to measure your ingredients before you use them.
- Paper Towel. Apply a paper towel to each egg to wipe off the water droplets.
- Drying Rack. If you do not want to use a paper towel, you can put your eggs on a drying rack.
These supplies will help you with the process of creating natural dyes and dying your eggs when you are ready to add color to them.
How to Make Natural Dyed Eggs
Now that you know what you need to have to prepare the natural dyes, you need to know how to dye Easter eggs using these natural colors. Follow these simple steps:
Step 1: Prepare Your Ingredients
Start by getting your ingredients ready to use. The process depends on which ingredients you decide to use. However, you will likely need to start grating or cutting those ingredients before adding them to the water.
Step 2: Bring Your Ingredients to a Boil
When creating one specific color, add water into a saucepan followed by the ingredient. Bring the water to a boil, and then lower the heat. Leave the heat on low and allow the ingredient to stay in the water until you achieve the desired color. It can take up to 30 minutes to achieve your desired color.
Step 3: Let the Water Cool Before Straining
Remove the saucepan from the heat and allow the water inside it to cool. Once the water cools, strain it to remove any chunks or particles of ingredients from it.
Step 4: Put Your Liquid Into a Container
Add your liquid to a glass container. Make sure the container is big enough for your eggs to fit in perfectly.
Step 5: Let Your Eggs Sit
Leave your eggs sitting in the liquid until the color of the shell changes. You can then remove them, place them on a towel or drying rack, and wait for them to dry off. Once the eggs are dry, you can add some vegetable oil to them to get them to shine.
Natural Dyed Eggs
Skip the artificial dyes and learn how to create festive colors using natural ingredients. Natural Dyed Eggs are much better for you and are relatively easy to make for any celebration.
Materials
- Hard-boiled eggs
- Beets
- Red cabbage
- Turmeric
- Hibiscus tea
- Parsley
- Vegetable oil, optional, for rubbing eggs after coloring
Tools
- Saucepan
- Knife
- Grater
- Cutting board
- Fine mesh strainer
- Cheesecloth
- Glasses or containers for dipping
- Measuring cup
- Paper towel
- Drying rack
Instructions
You will need 1-2 cups of water for each ingredient
Prepare ingredients by cutting or grating
Add water to saucepan
Add ingredient and bring to boil
Reduce heat to low, and simmer for 15-30 minutes or until desired color. It should be a few shades darker then you want the color of your eggs.
Remove pan from stove and allow to cool to room temperature
Strain the dye using a fine mesh strainer into a bowl
Transfer dye into glass container
Add eggs and allow to set until desired colored
Remove from dye and place on wire rack or paper towel
Allow to dry completely and rub with oil to make them shiny if desired
Notes
Every egg will not turn out the same, even in the same dye color. There will naturally be different shades.
The Parsley dyed very light with 4 hours of soaking, but overnight it dyed darker.
You may need to use cheesecloth to strain the ingredients from the dye, depending on how small the pieces of ingredients are.
Helpful Tips to Know
When using natural dyes for your eggs, they might not all come out the same. Even if you leave the eggs in the natural dye a bit longer, the shades of each egg will vary. It is entirely normal! If you have time to leave the eggs in the natural dye overnight, the color may appear much darker than it would if you were to leave it in for just a few hours.
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