Spring has sprung - or promises to, anyway. If you're dyeing eggs in celebration, engage nature in the process this year.
Natural ingredients like herbs and spices offer an endless variety of hues for dyeing eggs -- from the soft purple shades of hibiscus to the rich gold tones of turmeric. Dyeing with nature takes a bit more patience, and a bit more openness to whatever nature decides to deliver. But that's what makes the activity such creative fun -- and the results so stunning.
There are two easy ways to dye eggs with natural dyestuffs. One is a hot method, which delivers the deepest colors; the other is cold. You might try each, or use them in combination.
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. We have some suggestions, but go ahead and try any herb or spice that looks like a good candidate. Take notes for next year!
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.)
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.
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).
