A playful Easter tradition for South African homes

Easter is often centred around family, relaxed meals and time spent together.

This year, appliance store Miele South Africa, which was founded in Germany in 1899, introduces a creative tradition that adds a hands-on, joyful element to the celebration – Ostereier, or German Easter eggs.

“Rooted in centuries-old European customs, decorating eggs has long symbolised renewal and new beginnings. Today, it offers a simple, engaging activity that brings families together, especially younger children who enjoy the creativity and freedom of decorating their own designs. Easter naturally brings people into the kitchen,” said the company’s head of brand activation and own retail in SA, Sicelo Champion.

“It is the perfect opportunity to introduce activities that are interactive, creative and enjoyable for all ages,” Sicelo added.

Also read: KES Easter Rugby Festival returns (video)

From tradition to modern technique

For Sicelo, traditionally, eggs were simply boiled before being dyed and decorated.

“For decorative purposes, another popular option is to hollow out the eggs. This is done by making a small hole at both ends of the shell and gently blowing out the contents, leaving behind a lightweight, empty shell. The only drawback is that the shells are relatively fragile and break easily,” Sicelo added.

Colour, creativity and flexibility

Once prepared, the eggs become a blank canvas.

Natural dyes such as beetroot, turmeric, red cabbage and onion skins can be used to create soft, earthy tones, while standard food colouring available in grocery stores provides a brighter, more convenient option, ideal for when time is limited.

Decoration can be as simple or as detailed as you like. Eggs can be painted, dipped, splattered or finished with stickers, ribbons or pressed leaves. For children, the process is playful and expressive. For adults, it can be styled into something more refined and decorative.

Styling and display

Decorated eggs can be used in a variety of ways around the home. They can be arranged in bowls or nests, incorporated into table settings or gifted to friends and family.

For a more traditional display, hollowed eggs can be threaded with ribbon and hung from branches placed in a vase or from indoor plants. You could also use a glue gun to glue ribbons or string onto the top of the eggs and hang them up this way. This display creates a striking yet simple Easter feature that adds colour and a sense of occasion to any space.

“These are the kinds of traditions that feel special because they are made, not bought. It is about spending time together and creating something personal,” added Sicelo.

Recipe:
Ostereier (German Easter Eggs)

INGREDIENTS:

• Eggs
12 eggs
• Red or pink dye
250 ml water
2 tsp white vinegar
½ to 1 cup grated beetroot
• Yellow dye
250 ml water
2 tsp white vinegar
1 tbsp ground turmeric
• Orange dye
250 ml water
2 tsp white vinegar
Peels from 6 brown onions
• Blue dye
250 ml water
2 tsp white vinegar
1 cup shredded red cabbage
• Brown dye
250 ml water
2 tsp white vinegar
2 tbsp instant coffee granules

METHOD

• Eggs
1. Place the eggs in a perforated steam container in the steam oven. Steam at 100°C for 12 minutes. Cool in cold water
2. Prepare your chosen dye and soak the eggs for up to 30 minutes until the desired colour is achieved

• Red or pink dye
1. Combine water and vinegar and bring to the boil
2. Reduce to a simmer, add beetroot and cook for 5 minutes
3. Strain and discard solids

• Yellow dye
1. Combine water and vinegar and bring to the boil
2. Add turmeric and simmer for 5 minutes
3. Strain

• Orange dye
1. Combine water and vinegar and bring to the boil
2. Add onion skins and simmer for 15 minutes
3. Strain

• Blue dye
1. Combine water and vinegar and bring to the boil
2. Add cabbage and simmer for 10 minutes.
3. Strain

• Brown dye
1. Combine water, vinegar and coffee, stirring to dissolve

A modern Easter tradition in the making