Easter Eggs, the Coffee-Lover’s Way

With Easter just around the corner, I found myself staring at a carton of white eggs and a counter full of coffee and thinking… why not? If beets and red cabbage can dye eggs, surely coffee can too—and if you're anything like me, you already have plenty of it around.

So I decided to give it a go, using three different coffee methods to see what kind of colors I could coax out: espresso, drip (or pour over), and good old-fashioned coffee grounds. I boiled all the eggs ahead of time and added a splash of vinegar to each dye bath to help the pigment stick. Then I let time do its thing, snapping photos at 12 hours and again at 24 hours.

The Results

• Coffee Grounds
  The least dramatic of the bunch, the grounds gave the eggs a soft, subtle beige—just a whisper of color, almost like antique lace. Lovely, but gentle.
• Drip or Pour Over
  This method produced a warm, medium-brown tone with a mellow golden hue. A little more defined than the grounds, and quite pretty in its own right.
• Espresso
  The clear winner! These eggs came out a rich, deep golden brown with velvety warmth. It was almost like giving them a coffee-stained patina—bold, earthy, and totally unique.

Now, I know what you’re thinking: Isn’t it a little silly to dye white eggs brown when eggs already come in brown? Maybe. But also… not really. This little experiment turned out to be unexpectedly lovely—and such a fun, natural way to bring together two seasonal rituals: Easter and coffee.

Happy Spring!
xo,
The Gilded Finch

Easter Egg Recipe

Coffee-Dyed Easter Eggs

A Natural DIY from The Gilded Finch

How to Boil Eggs

1. Place eggs in a saucepan and cover with cold water.
2. Bring the water to a boil over medium-high heat.
3. Once boiling, remove from heat, cover the pot, and let it sit for 13 minutes.
4. Transfer eggs to an ice water bath to cool completely.

Dye Methods

Each method includes a splash of vinegar (about 1-2 tsp) to help the color stick.

Refrigerate eggs in dye baths overnight. Check at 12 and 24 hours for desired shade. The longer they soak, the deeper the color.

1.  Espresso Dye

• 2 shots of espresso
• Splash of vinegar
• Water to cover 1 egg in a cup or jar

Result: Rich golden-brown. Deepest color of the three.

2.  Drip / Pour Over Dye

• 24g ground coffee
• 480g hot water
• Splash of vinegar
• Enough for 3 eggs in a mason jar

Result: Warm, medium brown with golden tones.

3.  Used Coffee Grounds Dye

• Used grounds from espresso and pour over
• Water to cover 2 eggs in a jar
• Splash of vinegar

Result: Lightest color - soft beige with speckled texture.

Notes and Tips

• Use white eggs for the clearest color.
• Natural dyes create unique, uneven patterns. Embrace the rustic charm!

Happy Easter and Happy Brewing!

xo,

The Gilded Finch