Onion Ink Recipe
The common onion is a staple in kitchens worldwide, but it holds a deeper significance beyond its culinary uses. Symbolically, onions represent the layers of meaning in life, emphasizing the need to peel away the superficial to reveal the essence within. Onions grow underground, facing the darkness and pressure of the soil before emerging as vital bulbs, mirroring the human capacity for resilience in the face of adversity. Even though onions start as pungent, tear-inducing vegetables, they transform into savory and flavorful ingredients when cooked. The concentric circles within an onion are comparable to the layers of consciousness or levels of spiritual enlightenment. As one peels away the layers of an onion to reach its core, spiritual seekers aim to shed away illusions and ego, seeking higher understanding and unity with the divine.
Materials
a bunch of onion skins
glass container with a tight-fitting lid or leftover Kombucha bottles
To make your own ink, start by removing the dry skins from onions. Make sure not to use pieces with dirt or mold. If you find any, try to brush them off or avoid using them altogether. Take the dried onion skins and put them in a pot. Cover them with cold water and place the pot on the stove. Wait until the water boils, then reduce the heat to a simmer and let it simmer for several hours. This will allow the water to become the desired color for your ink. Once the color is achieved, strain the onion skins and only keep the ink. You can boil the ink further to make the color richer. Next, pour your ink through a coffee filter to remove any sediment. If you want a thicker ink, slowly add gum Arabic until you reach your desired consistency. Finally, add cloves to preserve the ink.
Have fun testing your ink, layering it, using it with different brushes, and playing with it. Onion ink though pale, has much depth, which is amplified when layered or varnished.
