Create completely natural Easter egg dyes bursting with color by using natural foods and spices. Making natural dyeing agents is a great way to use up food almost at its prime and those spices you always seem to have too much of in the cupboard.
Step One
Cook the eggs by covering them with one inch of cold water in a pot. Bring the water to a boil, then simmer for 10 minutes. Remove the pot from heat, allowing the eggs to sit for another 10 minutes in the water, then rinse with cold water and they’re ready to use.
Step Two
While the eggs are boiling, prepare the mason jars for dyeing by combining the 2 tablespoons of each natural base ingredient with 1 1/2 tablespoons of distilled white vinegar in the bottom of each jar. The vinegar will helps the dye adhere, bringing out the brightest shades on the eggshells.Spices like turmeric and paprika can be added in their powder form, coffee in it’s brewed liquid form, and raw food ingredients like beets and blueberries can be juiced into liquids or mashed with a muddler right in the bottom of the jar with the vinegar.
Step Three
Give the mixture a gentle stir with a spoon if needed and let the eggs sit to dye.
Step Four
The longer you leave the eggs in each mixture, the more concentrated the color will become. These pictured eggs were left to dye for one hour.Tip: You can achieve many different shades with minimal ingredients by leaving some eggs in the dye for longer or shorter periods of time. If you have just a single dye color, you could create a completely ombre effect to your collection of eggs by incrementally timing the dyeing period 15 minutes apart.
Step Five
Once the eggs are dyed, they are ready for decorating with. Make a rustic Easter tablescape by pairing each egg with faux bird nests and spanish moss, available at most craft stores.
Step Six
Place each nested egg onto a plated napkin to create individual spring themed place settings. They will add a touch of color to each seat and the best part is, the eggs are edible — so they double for festive decor and a fun little brunch starter.