We know that many people may wonder about the best way to color Easter eggs this time of year. We feel that the detail below is a good example of how dyes can be employed.
Most Easter egg dying kits instruct the user to mix a small amount of white vinegar along with warm water and a food grade dye (ex: FD&C Yellow #5, FD&C Blue #1). The eggs are then dipped into the vinegar-water-dye mixture, and the color is imparted onto the egg shell. Without vinegar, the dye acts much more slowly. Those of us who are not chemists may wonder why vinegar plays an important role in this process. The detail provided below answers this question.
Store bought white vinegar is a solution of acetic acid in water, and the acetic acid is typically present at about 5%. Acetic acid is classified as a weak acid, and it’s the weak acid functionality that makes vinegar so effective when coloring Easter eggs. A weak acid will provide hydrogen ions, which have an affinity for the anionic dye molecule of the FDA certified food grade dyes. When the hydrogen ions attach to the anionic dye molecule, the molecule is more capable of hydrogen bonding and is therefore better-suited to attach to protein molecules in the egg shell.
While any weak acid will work to enhance the coloration of Easter eggs, white vinegar is the most obvious choice since food grade vinegar is readily available at all grocery stores. Moreover, it only takes a small amount of vinegar to accomplish the desired result when coloring Easter eggs. It is interesting to note that too much acid can cause an undesired chemical reaction with the calcium carbonate in the egg shell. If too much acid is used, the chemical reaction will result in some fizzing, and a deterioration of the shell. Similarly, other types of vinegar can stain egg shells, so white vinegar is the preferred option for this dye procedure.
Pylam Products has been in business since 1919. During this time we have established an expertise in coloring a vast array of different kinds of products. The focus of our sales is business-to-business and we will gladly work with you to find the best colorants for your application. Please [Contact Us] if you would like to learn more about our dye and pigment products. We are always happy to share our expertise in the coloring chemistry that may pertain to your products and business.