Vinegar

What is the purpose of putting vinegar in Easter eggs?

You dye Easter eggs with vinegar because it holds the dye more tightly to the eggshells. Acetic acid, the primary acid in vinegar, reacts with the calcium carbonate in the eggshells to create a slightly grittier surface on which the dye can stick.

Egg dyes typically are created using food dye which is effective when it is acidic. Adding vinegar to the dye solution makes the colors more vibrant and smooth. The eggs may be more muted or lopsided without vinegar.

Usually, for best results, you add around 1 tablespoon of white vinegar per cup of water containing dye. This is an easy trick to making some beautiful colored Easter eggs either for display or for religious Easter holidays.