How to dye red eggs for Easter

Red eggs. Photo by: Canva

Eastern European countries such as Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, and Albania dye red eggs to symbolise the blood, sacrifice and rebirth of Christ, every year on Holy Thursday. Here is a guide on how to dye your eggs red with a — powder — an activity which can be enjoyed with your children this coming Easter.

On Easter Sunday, after the Christ has risen at midnight, people play the game of cracking red eggs, symbolising the resurrection from the dead and the new life.

Here is what you need to dye your own red eggs:

• 1 ½ litres water

• 1 tbsp of sea salt or 1 tbsp of white wine vinegar

• 50 grams of white wine vinegar

• 1 packet of red egg dye powder

• Olive oil to wipe the eggs

Method:

1. To begin, the eggs must be at room temperature. Make sure you have taken them out of the fridge a couple of hours before boiling them.

Eggs on kitchen countertop. Photo by: Andie Cumber from Pexels

2. Before you dye the eggs, wash, and clean them well so that the dye picks up evenly.

Eggs being washed. Photo by: Canva

3. In a saucepan, add cold water and a tablespoon of sea salt or white wine vinegar (cooking vinegar). This will prevent the eggs from cracking, making them easier to peel.

Saucepan with cold water. Photo by: Canva

4. Add the eggs to the saucepan, ensuring they are fully submerged in the water. If any of them rise to the top, take them out as it is likely that they have gone off.

Eggs being put in the water. Photo by: Evisa Dhima

5. Boil the eggs on slow heat for six to eight minutes, depending on how hard-boiled you prefer them to be.

Eggs boiling. Photo by: Canva

6. Once boiled, run them under cold water or put them in ice. Crack one egg and check if you are satisfied.

Eggs taken out and put in cold water. Photo by: Evisa Dhima

7. While your eggs cool, prep the dye, by placing 1 ½ litre of warm water in a bowl that you don’t mind getting dye on or keep them in the same saucepan. Add 50 grams of white vinegar and the red dye powder. Stir well until it is fully dissolved.

Red dye being added in glass. Photo by: Evisa Dhima

8. Place the eggs one by one in the bowl and let them sit in the dye for three to four minutes.

Eggs being added in red dye. Photo by: Evisa Dhima

9. Remove with a slotted spoon and place them on a rack over some kitchen paper until dry. Let them dry for about 45 minutes to an hour.

Eggs being taken out to dry on papertowel. Photo by: Evisa Dhima

10. Once they are fully dry, wipe them with a cotton pad and olive oil.

Red Easter eggs. Photo by: Evisa Dhima