Red signifies good luck in Chinese culture and eggs are a symbol of birth; red eggs a common and traditional food served for special occasions and celebrations in Chinese households. They are easy and inexpensive to make. If you are wondering how to prepare them for celebrations such as birthdays, an upcoming baby first-month celebration or Renri, here’s a guide on how to make them.
Do note that you should be using liquid food colouring and not gel food colouring. It is possible to use natural colours from foods such as red cabbage, but the eggs will take a longer process as you will have to re-dye it more than once to achieve a brighter hue.
How to Make Red Eggs for Special Chinese Occasions
Items needed
- Hard-boiled eggs
- 1 tsp vinegar
- 1/2 cup hot water
- 25 to 30 drops red food colouring.
- A cooling rack with paper towel underneath
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Method: Steps to make Red Eggs
- Put the hard boiled eggs in a bowl of hot water with one teaspoon of vinegar. The vinegar will help the dye bind better to the eggshells.
- Add red food colouring. Adjust the amount of dye according to what is needed, depending on the quality of the dye and the colour of the egg that you are using.
- Use a spoon to pour the red liquid all over the eggs, turn the eggs around and repeat the same action. You will see the red dye start to cling to the shells and the red colour will keep getting deeper and deeper. It is best to do this in small batches.
- Place the dyed eggs on a rack to let them air dry. It should be dried after about 30 minutes
And there you have it, Chinese red eggs for special occasions. It is always nice to keep some traditions alive.
You can also check out this video from What to Cook Today below.
