How to Make Natural Dyes for Easter Eggs

My beautiful granddaughter Taylor.

My Mom never used the Easter egg dyeing kits you get in the store now, she made her own. Easter was always fun, it was amazing to see the colors she could create from ingredients like the skins of yellow onions or beets. Creating colors from natural materials can be especially fun because it is not a precise science, the richness of the colors, depends on the egg surface, the concentration of the dyeing liquid and the length of time the eggs are left in the dye.The best thing is watching the little ones, when they get to color their eggs. My daughter Angie, Taylor's Mom loved the blues, she thought it was awesome when she pulled the egg out of they dye with a different color. I think it's time we created our own Easter magic let's get started and we'll have lot's of fun.

1. To get your eggs ready for dyeing dip your eggs into a mild detergent solution and then scrub the eggs with a soft brush to remove the oil coating (the dye will stick better on a clean surface). Rinse the eggs well.

2. Do not use aluminum pans or containers for some reason the dye won't stick (I don't know why my mom told me this), place the eggs in a large pan. Pour cold water over the eggs until the water is 1 inch over the top of the eggs. Bring to a boil, then lower heat and cook at a simmer for 15 minutes.

3. Drain, then cover the eggs with cold water. Let them stand in the water until cool enough to handle if you are not dyeing your eggs right away, refrigerate your eggs until you are ready to start creating your Easter Eggs.

Pinks and Reds For light pinks and reds, you can use, cranberries, sliced beets, or red raspberries. Beets are the ones I use for my pinks and reds.

Orange Use the skins from 4 large yellow onions to get a good variety of orange shades.

Yellow For light yellow use, 2 teaspoons ground cumin, and for a brighter yellow use 2 teaspoons ground turmeric.

Blue For pale blues use about 4 cups of red cabbage leaves and for a nice deep blue use canned blueberry juice (drained from canned blueberries).

Most of us plan to eat our Easter eggs that is why it is better to use dyes made from natural materials that do not contain chemicals or pesticides. Fruits, vegetables, spices, herbs, and seeds can provide all kinds of natural colors for dyeing Easter eggs. Using natural dyes can be a lot more fun the colors you get on your eggs depend on the concentration of the dyeing liquid, the amount of time you leave the eggs in the liquid and surface of the eggs. Try it see what you get.

1. Wash your fruits and vegetables, place them in a large pan (do not use aluminum) cover with about 2 cups cold water. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer covered for about 5 minutes. Remove from heat allow to cool to room temperature.

2. Strain and store the dyeing liquids in a sealed jar in the refrigerator until you're ready to color the eggs. The dye will keep for about 2 weeks.

3. Ready to dye your eggs, bring the dyeing liquid to boil. Remove from heat and stir in 1 tablespoon white vinegar. Carefully lower 2 to 3 eggs into the hot liquid. Let the eggs stand until they reach the desired color, it may take a little bit longer than your commercial dyes depending on the colors you want.

4. Dry eggs. Lightly brush eggs with cooking oil. Eggs will keep in the refrigerator for up to 10 days.

5. You can save a couple steps by using the liquid from canned fruits and vegetables,by using already prepared liquids you will be able start your Easter fun and games sooner.. Have fun!