— Use liquids as they are or boil them to achieve the color intensity desired.
— Cover solid materials with water and bring to a boil. Boil until desired color is achieved then strain.
— To use as water colors, add 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon white vinegar per 1/4 cup of liquid and store in small glass jars.
These instructions are from Bea Johnson’s book Zero Waste Home.
Blue/Purple: huckleberries, blueberries, grapes, red cabbage, wilted rose petals, wine, squid ink.
Red: Beets, red elderberry, strawberries, cherries, raspberries.
Yellow/orange: pomegranate or onion skins, golden beet, yellow turnip, celery leaves , carrot tops or root, turmeric.
Green: peppermint, spinach, artichoke leaves.
Brown: coffee, tea, red onion skins, soy sauce, walnut hullds and husks, bark and dry leaves, chard toast, cuttlefish ink.
Black/gray: blackberries, octopus ink, wood charcoal, almond charcoal.
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