Pokeberry Ink

Instructions

Things You'll Need

· Ripe pokeberries

· Gloves

· Bowl

· Strainer

· 1/2 tsp. salt

· 1/2 tsp. vinegar

· Small jar

1.

o 1

Pick 1/2 cup ripe pokeberries. Look for the ripest berries which will be jet-black. These dark berries may have already fallen to the ground, but they are the best for ink-making. Wear gloves when picking pokeberries and making the ink.

o 2

Put berries in a strainer, and hold the strainer over a bowl. Crush the berries with a spoon, straining only the juice of the berries into the bowl. Continue this process until the berries are completely crushed.

o 3

Add 1/2 tsp. salt and 1/2 tsp. vinegar into the bowl with the pokeberry juice and mix well. The salt is to prevent the ink from spoiling, and the vinegar will help the color of the ink last longer.

o 4

Store ink in a tightly covered jar such as a small canning jar or a baby food jar when not in use. Keep the pokeberry ink in a dark place.