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EGG DYING: Taking it back to the Ol' School!

Macaroni Made

April 18, 2011

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)

Carrot Tops (boiled)

Chamomile Tea

 

Celery Seed (boiled)

Ground Cumin (boiled)

Ground Turmeric (boiled) or Saffron

Green Tea

 

  • 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.
  • Add tap water to come at least one inch above the natural dye materials. 

  • 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.

 What sport are the eggs good at?

Running!