How To: Natural Dye Easter Eggs

SwampWitch · **How To: Natural Dye Easter Eggs**

For those of you who are also trying to stay/get healthy, here's a safe alternative to artifical colors.

Natural Dye Easter Eggs

Hot dyeing: Bring eggs to boil with natural dyes, remove from heat, and and leave in hot dye water for 15-25 minutes to cook and color.

Cold dyeing: Mix dye with hot water (or boil) and allow to cool. Boil eggs until done and add to cold water dye for several hours or overnight.

turmeric - bright yellow

carrot peel - pale yellow

crushed black walnut shells - deep, rich brown

log wood powder (craft stores) - red

hibiscus - light purple

red zinger tea bags - pink, turning to lavender

yellow onion skins - pale tan to dark brown

purple onions - reddish brown

blackberries - deep blue (soak overnight in 2 cups puree, fresh or frozen)

blueberries - deep purple (soak overnight in 2 cups puree, fresh or frozen)

raspberries - pale pink (soak overnight in 2 cups puree, fresh or frozen)

purple cabbage - light to robin blue (boil several cups of chopped cabbage, strain, and cold-dye)

Have fun!

JeannetteDavis · 03-08-2007, 08:20 PM

That is fascinating information.

Unfortunately, I don't see myself having the time to do all the prep-work to get the dyes. Hard to believe that our ancestors had to go through all that.

We really have it sooooo easy.

treehugger · 03-08-2007, 08:37 PM

When we use food colors on the shells. Can it get inside on the egg?

JeannetteDavis · 03-08-2007, 08:43 PM

I don't know, but I use food color instead of those prepackaged dye tablets. I think those are chemically treated and don't trust them. I use food color and vinegar in hot water, as did my mother and my grandmothers.

goodnightmoon · 03-09-2007, 05:56 AM

Thanks! My dh's grandmother used to dye eggs with the onion skins. I've never tried it but I'm going to give your suggestions a try. Thanks again!

LuvMySoldier · 03-13-2008, 08:40 PM

I've also heard of using the juice from a can of beets for coloring.