It’s that time of year again where we get to chomp on as much chocolate as possible without feeling bad about it!
Easter is one of Christianity’s most important holiday, which celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Some believe that the name Easter originally derived from the word ‘Eostre’ which was the ancient Greek goddess of Spring.
Although consuming chocolate eggs is the tradition, originally eggs were not allowed by the Church during the week leading up to Easter. Any eggs laid during that week were saved and then decorated to make them ‘Holy Week eggs’. They were then given to children as gifts.
Victorians then adapted the tradition with satin covered cardboard eggs filled with Easter gifts.
The first chocolate eggs appeared in France and Germany in the 19th Century. As chocolate making techniques improved, hollow eggs like the ones we eat today were developed.
As well as chocolate eggs, the Easter bunny is also a popular tradition which is thought to have derived from the 19th Century. Rabbits usually give birth around the time of Easter so they became a symbol of new life. Legend has it that the Easter Bunny lays, decorates and hides eggs as they are a symbol of new life.
The Easter Bunny is not the only animal symbol of Easter. In Switzerland, Easter eggs are delivered by a cuckoo and in parts of Germany they are delivered by a fox!
