COLOURING EGGS NATURALLY

Celebrating all the festivities around Easter has always been important to me. Traditions and customs are the only constant in an ever-changing world. They are cemented in our minds to be passed on to next generations. Without them we feel lost.

One tradition I cherish is dyeing eggs on Good Friday. Besides Easter baking that includes Lebanese sweets like Maamoul or German Easter bread, colouring eggs on Friday is one of the most fun activities at Easter time.

When my children were small, I had little time on my hand, so I used store-bought Easter egg dye. It was a quick and easy activity with a great outcome: Shiny eggs with vibrant and festive colours. Although I used to buy organic colouring, I knew there must be some chemicals involved. So, I avoided boiled eggs with a crack. I would use them in an egg salad instead of immersing them in dye.

In the last few years however, with lots of time on my hand in a much quieter home, I switched to natural egg dyes. I have used three different dyeing agents so far. Red cabbage, beetroot, and turmeric root. I have also used turmeric powder instead and it worked well. I must admit that I am pretty much fascinated with the charm of the muted colours.

HOW TO MAKE NATURAL EASTER EGG DYE

Bring 2 Liters water to a boil in a large pot. You can adjust water to the amount of dyeing agent you are using.
Add your dyeing agent, cover and simmer over medium-low for about 45 minutes to one hour.
Strain liquid into a jar or a bowl while still hot. I usually use 500 ml of the liquids in one bowl. To this bowl I add 2 tablespoons white vinegar. You can also add instead 1 teaspoon of baking soda. See Green dye!
Boil your eggs separately. Rinse with cold water. Dye while hot.
Add 2 to 3 hard boiled eggs and let sit for at least 2 hours.
For a shinier finish rub each egg with little vegetable oil using a cloth or kitchen paper roll.

1- NATURAL BLUE COLOUR

You will need half a red cabbage, or a small one, shredded. To get the blue color, you add 2 tablespoons vinegar to 500 ml dye.

2- NATURAL GREEN COLOUR

You will need red cabbage. This time you add 1 teaspoon baking soda to 500 ml liquid.

3- NATURAL PURPLE COLOUR

You will need 2 big beetroots, sliced. You add 2 tablespoons vinegar to 500 ml liquid.

4- NATURAL YELLOW COLOUR

You will need about 150 g turmeric roots. Cook in only 1 liter water. Add two tablespoons Vinegar to 500 ml dye.

I noticed that the yellow was very pale. So, I boiled the water again with one teaspoon turmeric powder. Then added vinegar and baking Soda. See colour below.