Such a complex question for such a small but mighty protein. At the Saratoga Farmer’s Market, you can purchase a variety of eggs. With Easter just around the corner, I became curious about the various colors of eggs and the outcome of dying them.
As I chatted with my friend, farmer, and chicken expert from Stoney Meadow Farms, I was surprised to learn that there are really only four colors of eggs; brown, white, green, and blue, although it often appears there are more than four colors. She explained that there are various shades within each color category. For example, a pink-ish color egg is actually a shade within the brown family. This is why there are dark greens, light greens, speckled eggs, etc. The breed of a chicken dictates the color of the eggs laid, which becomes a more complex discussion for another time.
Can you color some of these already beautiful eggs for Easter? The answer is yes! After speaking with one of our vendors, Laurie, of Kokinda Farm, I discovered it’s very popular. And why not? This can be an educational experiment and a fun way to introduce young children to the discovery of eggs, chicken varieties, dying, and more.
Where can you find eggs to hard boil and dye this weekend at the market?
- Hepatica Farms
- Jireh Organics & Livestock
- Kokinda Farm
- Squash Villa Farm (sells both chicken and duck eggs)
What’s the best way to dye some of these already colorful eggs? You can use any typical dying technique, from store-bought packages to the old-fashioned food coloring and vinegar combination. You can even make your own natural dyes from farmers’ market produce! The coloring process will vary based on the color of the eggs you have selected. For example, the brown eggs will be a deeper version of the color you are using.
The Saratoga Farmers’ Market will be open on Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. through April at the Wilton Mall Food Court, accessible from the mall entrance across from BJs or the mall interior. Find us online at www.saratogafarmersmarket.org, where you can sign up for our weekly newsletter and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
