Rubia tinctorum known locally as rizari or alizarin is a bush that grows in southern Europe and south-west Asia. The plant’s roots produce a vivid red dye used for colouring textiles.
In Cyprus and Greece, especially in Thessaly, this dye is used to colour easter eggs.
The colour remains indefinitely and does not penetrate the egg’s shell. It also cannot stain the hands when using it.
Rizari grows wild in unpopulated areas.
© Costas and Rita Severis Foundation
The ‘Did You Know’ series is made possible with the support of OPAP (Cyprus).
