Feature Articles: Food, Fitness and Holidays
Coloring eggs: A spring tradition
Karma Metzgar, C.F.C.S., regional director, Northwest Region, University of Missouri Extension
While there are lots of dye packages marketed this time of year, you can create your own brilliant colors with food coloring and vinegar. In 3/4 cup hot water, mix 1 tablespoon white vinegar and several drops of food coloring. Mixing the primary colors yields all colors of the rainbow.
If muted, pastel colors are your goal, you might try some natural egg dyes. One method is to place a hard-cooked egg in a plastic sandwich bag with some dye material and a small amount of water. Tie bag closed. The press and seal bags are not suggested as the seal may pop during cooking. Simmer 10 minutes in hot water, and then cool. Remove the bag from the cool water. Untie the bag and remove the egg. Different colors will be left on the egg from the natural materials.
What are some natural materials which make good dyes? There are a number of fruits and plants that make good dyes but those listed in the chart below are the ones available this time of year. As mentioned, most of these will be pale colors, but will still be quite pretty.
| Plant material | Use the... | To get this color |
| Dandelion | Flowers or roots | Yellow |
| Yellow onion | Skins | Light brown |
| Red onion | Skins | Red-brown |
| Parsley | Leaves | Light green |
| Spinach | Leaves | Grey gold to pink |
| Fresh oregano or mint | Leaves | Beige |
| Red cabbage | Leaves | Blue |
| Coffee | Grounds or strong brew | Brown |
| Yellow delicious apples | Peels | Lavender |
A key to preparing the eggs for dyeing, particularly when using eggs from the grocery store, is to wash the eggs with soap and water. This removes the very thin coat of wax that helps to keep eggs fresh. Then hard-cook the eggs which means only simmering (not boiling) the water with the eggs for 15 to 20 minutes, depending on the size of the egg.
We don’t want our spring fun spoiled by food borne bacteria so keep the following tips in mind. Wash hands with soap and water before and after handling raw and cooked eggs. Discard any eggs cracked during cooking, coloring or hiding. Any cooked egg out of the refrigerator for more than two hours should not be eaten.
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Last update: Monday, March 29, 2010
