All Natural Egg Dyes {Plus a Paint Recipe}

Kelly — Fri, 11 Apr 2014 04:00:15 +0000

Written by Contributing Writer, Kelly @ Eyes On The Source

Egg dyeing kits are a very fun and popular purchase this time of year, but how simple it is to make your own dyes using natural spices, teas, fruits and vegetables! You can create beautiful egg displays experimenting with these natural dyes. Plus, you don’t have to worry about what ingredients are in store bought kits.

These are some general recipes to try. Add more or less water/vinegar to vary the colors. So many possibilities!

The easiest way I have found to hard-boil eggs without over cooking them is this:

Add eggs to a pot with enough cool water to cover them and a splash (about a Tbsp or so) of vinegar. Vinegar helps to clean the eggshells and aids in absorption of color. Bring to a boil for 1 minute. Cover, remove from heat and let sit for 15-20 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and place into a bowl of ice water to cool.

To make natural colorful dyes:

Blue/Purple

Blueberries, Purple Cabbage

Boil 2 Cups of water with 1/2 cup of blueberries or 1/2 head of purple cabbage. Add a splash of vinegar. Simmer for 20 minutes. Cool and then soak eggs until desired color.

Yellow/Orange

Turmeric, Onion Skins

Boil 2 cups of water with 3 Tbsp of turmeric or skins from 3 onions. Add a splash of vinegar. Simmer for 20 minutes. Strain onion skins. Cool and then soak eggs until desired color.

Red/Pink

Red teas, cherries, paprika, beets

Boil 2 cups of water with 2-4 tea bags, 3/4 cup cherries, 3 Tbsp paprika or 3 medium chopped beets. Add a splash of vinegar. Simmer for 20 minutes. Strain and cool. Soak eggs until desired color.

Brown/Tan

Coffee, Tea

Brew 2 cups of strong tea or coffee. Cool and soak eggs.

Soak in two or more colors to vary the results. Another idea is to add the color while you hard boil the eggs if you want to make several small batches.

When you have finished dying the eggs, you can use the leftover dyes to make natural paints (or paint the eggs)!

Natural Paints:

2 Tbsp natural dye (from above recipes)
2 Tbsp flour
1 Tbsp liquid dish soap

Have you tried other egg dying techniques? What has worked well for you?

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Food Colors

Rachel — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 18:16:00 +0000

Have you ever wondered what makes food you eat the color that it is?

Yes, you probably understand that skittles, cookies with colorful frosting, and many other examples have food coloring, but have you ever researched food dyes? Did you know that some cookie dough, marshmallows, and certain bran cereals have food dyes?

But Why? One article says “They add the artificial colors so it’s more visually stimulating and the more likely you’ll be to buy it”

These food dyes, Red 40, Blue 1, Yellow 5 found in certain Mac & Cheeses, and many other colors are found in TONS of foods and these same dyes also know as synthetic chemicals can cause ADHD, hyperactivity and learning problems among other problems and even some people can be sensitive to them.

The Center for Science & Public Interests released a 50 page ebook about the “rainbow of risks” where it discussed the harmful risks these food dyes can have on you. This article will also give you some helpful information.

Our family usually cuts out on these food dyes as much as possible, occasionally, we have something with them in the food because we aren’t “perfect.” As Easter approaches I have been searching for natural food dyes for dying eggs with the kids.

Last year, I searched google and found you can use certain foods to make your own natural dyes. I used onion skins, blueberries and spinach. It does take a lot longer than the kits but it’s fun & also a learning experience to show kids how you can take things from nature and make colors with them.

Finished eggs, not as bright as the kits but at least I knew it was healthy for my kids.

This year, I found natural dyes made from fruits, veggies or spices which I plan on buying from a local natural grocer. I also found a cool kit by Eco-Eggs but I figured I’d get more use out of the natural food dyes.

For more info on where to order online, click here

An article from ehow states, “Artificial food coloring is made from things such as tar derivatives, petrochemicals and hydrocarbons; these ingredients not only have no nutritional value or benefit to your health, they have been the focus of several studies by concerned medical professionals. The result of some of the studies done by scientists has revealed that artificial food coloring may be linked to many health and behavioral problems.” And this is why we want to be more aware of the choices our family makes and what we put into our bodies.

“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

What are your thoughts on food dyes?

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