Ingredients
- 1 cup of blueberries (150 g)
- 2 teaspoons of white vinegar
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- Sieve
- Bowl
- Large spoon
- Teaspoon
- Potato masher
- Saucepan and hob
- Small bottle with a lid
- Piece of paper
- Paintbrush
- Rubber gloves
- Optional: piece muslin cloth (150×150 cm)
Time
Around 45 minutes (includes 20 minutes of cooling down time)
Watch out!
This activity requires the berries to be heated on a hob. If you need to, make sure to get an adult to do this bit with you.
The berry ink can stain your clothes and hands! Make sure to wear rubber gloves and be careful to not get ink on your clothes.
Recipe
1. Heat berries for 5-10 minutes in a pan on a low-medium heat, making sure the berries do not burn.
2. While heating gently crush the berries using the potato masher.
3. After 5 minutes let the berries cool for 20 minutes.
4. Once the berries are cool, put them in the sieve and then put the sieve over a bowl. If you are using muslin, place the muslin between the sieve and the bowl. Use a large spoon to crush the berries so the juice drips into the bowl.
5. Optional step: strain the berries a second time using the muslin cloth. Gather the muslin and squeeze the juice out into the bowl.
6. Add the vinegar and salt to the berry pulp, then with the teaspoon stir the mixture until everything has dissolved.
7. Transfer the mixture to the small bottle.
8. Write your message using a paintbrush or tooth pick.
9. Store your ink in a cool, dry place with the lid on.
Next time
Why not try making ink from a different kind of berry? Different berries will create different coloured inks. You can try blackberries, raspberries or cherries.
Did you know?
The berry ink will change colour over time because the berries react with the oxygen in the air.
