Introduction: Bio Coloured Eggs
This instructable will show you how to color your easter eggs without using chemicals
Step 1: Materials
For this you will need:
1. Eggs
2. Onions
3. pantyhose
4.small leafs, grass
Step 2: Preparing the Eggs
Take some small leafs and use water to stick them to the eggs. This will hold the leafs in place while you insert the eggs into the pantyhose. Be sure to strach the panthyhose as much as you can before you make a knot. This way the eggshell is better exposed to the colour.
Step 3: Prepare the Colour
Peel off some red onions. If you can't find red onions then the brown ones ar also ok. I used red because I wanted a more intense colour. You could also mix them. But be sure only to use the dryed out outer skins. There is no exact quantity that you need to use, the more the better.
After you've peeled the onions, put the onion skins in watter and let them boil. The quantity of water should be enough to cover the eggs.
Step 4: Boil the Eggs
Gently insert the eggs into the boiling coloured water. Let them boil like ordinary eggs.
Step 5: Clean the Eggs
Remove the eggs from the pantyhose and clean them. You must do this before the eggs are cold because some leafs during the boiling process, dries out and stick to the eggs. They are easy to remove while the eggs are hot.
Step 6: Make Them Shine
Use some bacon fat to give the eggs a shiny look. After you've done this they will be a little greasy and shiny but don't worry, after they sit for a day the fat will be absorbed.
Step 7: The Finished Product
Runner Up in the
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30 Comments
2 years ago
Can you eat the eggs when you're finished?
4 years ago
I've been meaning to make something along these lines for a long time, and only this morning, stumbled upon the method used in your great Instructable. Thanks for sharing this!
6 years ago on Introduction
really nice job. Great how to for a great thing to make
7 years ago on Introduction
fascinating! I can't believe this works, and works so well! Thank you so much for sharing!
8 years ago on Introduction
Do you think if I took small leafs and waxed them, I would be able to use them during winter for the same kind of design? Also, can I wrap the eggs in cheesecloth instead? I only want to make 2-3 at a time, to put in my lunch
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
I think you can use cheesecloth but I never tryed it myself. So I don't know what the result would really be. I use pantyhose because it's elastic and it keeps the leafs in place better. As for the waxed leafs...I don't know what to say. I never thought about this. I only make this kind of eggs for Easter and in that period you cand find all kind of leafs. But if you whant to make this in the winter why not use leafs from flowers/plants that you have in the house. Anyway, if you decide to try this out, let me know about the results.
9 years ago on Introduction
Alcohol helps leech the color out of dry herbs like cinnamon and turmeric . Makes a paste of the plant matter and cheap vodka, let sit over night and then put it in a coffee maker and run hot water through it. The colors are so deep you may need to dilute further
9 years ago on Introduction
Question - Do the eggs wind up having an onion taste or smell?
- that would be a compost pile moment for me....
Reply 9 years ago on Introduction
The onion leafs don't influence the taste or smell of the eggs. They are edible and taste like normal boiled eggs. The color is only on the surface. In fact, when cleaning them, if you rub too hard or too much, you could scratch the color.
9 years ago on Step 3
To be fair, this isn't coloring eggs without chemicals. You're just getting your chemicals from the onion skin, as opposed to concentrated colors in a bottle that were generally derived from plants to begin with. The idea of coloring eggs this way, however, produces quite a beautiful result.
10 years ago on Introduction
YEY!!! congrats :D!!!!
Reply 10 years ago on Introduction
Thanks. It's my first prize :D Can't wait to get my hand on it
Reply 10 years ago on Introduction
Yup not to mention that you made well known these traditional onion leaves painted eggs (with patterns from other leaves:D)!!!
10 years ago on Step 5
This is super freaking cool. I wish I had seen it before Easter. I hope you win the contest!!
~J
10 years ago on Introduction
your eggs are really lovely- voted for you!
10 years ago on Introduction
to the favorites added.
10 years ago on Introduction
Beautiful!!!
10 years ago on Introduction
And you, you Sir just got my vote!
Thanks for sharing, I will test with beets though....
Reply 10 years ago on Introduction
Turmeric will give you a yellow, and try working with woad, that should give you a blue.
10 years ago on Introduction
voted!