Wednesday, February 25, 2009

All Natural Egg Dyeing

This year the kids and I are going to try some different egg dyeing, using all natural herbs and spices. We have a free box at work where I can get damaged product and I have been grabbing something almost every time I walk by. I have hibiscus and safflower, chili powder, chai tea, spiralina and so forth. It will be fun to try the different ways and to test the different colors!


What you will need to get started
» Mordant -- Alum, cream of tartar, or white vinegar will help the colors penetrate the eggshell. (Mordants aren't necessary, but you'll get better results if you use one.)» Pots -- Enamel or glass pots (not aluminum) are best.» Water -- Use distilled water or water that is chlorine-filtered.» Eggs -- White eggs will display the subtle, natural colors better than brown or green eggs.» Dyestuff -- The more eggs you're dyeing, the more dyestuff you'll need. Have fun experimenting with herbs and spices to see what colors they impart, but here are some suggestions to get you started:

Reddish blue/lavender: Hibiscus flowersDeep gold: Turmeric root powderPale yellow: Safflower petalsPale orange: Curry powderReddish brown: Chili powderOrange: PaprikaSoft brown: Dill seedTannish yellow: Yarrow
Other natural products that make lovely dyes:Beet juice or beet powder, berries, coffee, juice, lemon and orange peels, red cabbage leaves, tea, onion skins.

Ingredients:Once you get the hang of dyeing naturally, you'll work in panfuls and handfuls, but here are some guidelines to get you started:

» 4 cups water» dyestuff (about 2-4 tbsps ground herbs and spices or 1 cup whole or cut and sifted)» 1 tablespoon mordant (see above)» 4 to 6 eggs, washed to remove any coating (Use raw for hot bath, hard-boiled for cold.)

Hot Bath Directions
Bring water, dyestuff, and mordant to a boil. Add eggs and reduce heat to a simmer. Cook for about 15 minutes, remove from heat, cover and let sit another 15 minutes or more, until desired color. (The longer you leave the eggs in the dye, the deeper the color.) Remove eggs, gently rinse in lukewarm water, and let air dry.

Cold Bath Directions
Make a dyebath by bringing water, dyestuff, and mordant to a boil. Simmer the dyestuff until the water is deeply colored, anywhere from half an hour to a couple of hours. (Put a lid on the pot to prevent evaporation.) Strain the liquid and cool. Add hard-boiled eggs to the dye, and let soak until desired color is reached (overnight, in the refrigerator, if you like).

Tips and Tricks
» Add sheen to your eggs by gently wiping the dry, dyed shell with vegetable oil.» Consider dyeing an egg in more than one color. (Let dry between dyeing.)» Experiment with fun techniques: Wrap an egg in rubber bands or apply masking tape in patterns before dyeing, for a batik effect. Or wrap an egg in leaves (hold them in place with a nylon stocking) before dyeing. For a stippled effect, pat an egg with a sponge while still wet. And to marbleize your egg, add a drop of oil to the dye liquid.» For a smoother look, dye eggs in strained liquid. For more texture, leave in the dyestuff.» Don't over stir the eggs while simmering, or overhandle them once you remove them from the dye. The outer shell, softened from the mordant, can rub off.

Ask the Experts
How can I tell which herbs will make good dye?
As you experiment with other herbs and spices, remember that you can't always tell which ones will make good dye. Trial and error is part of the fun. Sometimes an herb you expect great things from will leave the water clear (lavender, despite its name, scent, and beautiful flowers, delivers little if any color when boiled, for example). Other times, you'll be surprised by the burst of color when a plant hits the water. You can test natural ingredients before placing eggs in them (you can usually judge by the color of the water how well it will dye). And you can always re-dye an egg if you're disappointed in the initial results.

Can I eat the eggs I've colored with natural dye?
» If you plan to eat eggs that you've colored with natural dyes keep them in mind as food as you dye them. Use the cold bath method, or (if you're after richer color) start with the hot bath, but cook the eggs just until the desired doneness. Then remove them from the pan, strain and cool the liquid, and place them back in. Put the soaking egg in the refrigerator. (Eggs that are going to be eaten shouldn't be kept out of the refrigerator for extended periods.) Remove, rinse, and let air dry. Then put right back in the refrigerator until you're ready to crack it open to make that egg salad. (If the shell cracks during dyeing, make sure whatever dyestuff you've chosen is safe for human consumption, or discard the egg.)

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