intheknow
Local egg farm family shares their Easter tradition D
yeing eggs around Easter time is a tradition that is cherished by many families, but especially by the Gemperle family. The local egg farmers use nature as the inspiration for their decorations. “The Gemperle family relies on the Swiss tradition for dyeing our eggs. With this method, children use roots, leaves and blossoms to decorate their Easter eggs,” explained Gemperle Farms President Steve Gemperle. Everything from grass to crocuses and daffodils can be used to create interesting and unique patterns on the eggs. This natural method also utilizes onion peels to color the eggs. The outcome is always a mystery and two eggs never look the same. “We have keen memories
Historically, eggs represent rebirth, new life, and spring, so often their decorations are symbolic. In Greece and the Middle East, eggs are dyed a bright red to reflect Christ’s blood. of our dad bringing home fresh eggs from the ranch and our mother boiling the onion skins, plopping the egg in the solution and eagerly waiting for the color to emerge,” Gemperle remembers. “I could not wait to remove the cheese cloth and see the secret image inside.” Historically, eggs represent rebirth, new life, and spring,
209MAGAZINE.COM
IN THE KNOW - Gemperle Easter Eggs.indd 22
22
so often their decorations are symbolic. In Greece and the Middle East, eggs are dyed a bright red to reflect Christ’s blood. In some countries, the egg represents the rock laid in front of Jesus’ tomb. In Austria and Germany, only hollow green eggs are allowed leading up to Easter Sunday, at which point people display elaborately decorated eggs. In Eastern Europe, people use wax to decorate Easter eggs with intricate designs. No matter their design or color, dyeing eggs remains a fun and memorable family tradition. ●
A P R I L / M AY 2 0 2 2
3/28/2022 11:50:01 AM
