Easter eggs at Easter are such a tradition now that we wouldn't recognise Easter without them. However, the modern chocolate Easter egg isn't actually as modern as you may think. Why do we have chocolate eggs at Easter? Well, the tradition actually goes back centuries, and today, we're going to find out why!
The tradition of eating eggs and gifting them at Easter finds its roots deep in history. Centuries ago, early Christians started exchanging eggs at Easter as a symbol of rebirth. These gestures slowly but surely evolved over time into candy-filled eggs made from marzipan or sugar paste.
This sweet treat slowly transformed into hollowed-out chicken eggs filled with sweets and toys. It wasn't until much later (in the Victorian era) that solidified cocoa butter was used to craft the first hollow chocolate egg. So, while the first chocolate easter eggs were a Victorian thing, Easter egg hunts had been going for centuries before this magical invention!
During the Victorian era, gifting chocolate eggs and other chocolate treats saw a massive surge in popularity. Easter Sunday, while still very much a heavily religious day, also became a day to eat chocolate eggs and be merry. Milk chocolate easter eggs quickly became a firm favourite with children who loved decorating eggs, eating as many as possible and trading them.
JS Fry & Sons, a British chocolatier of the time is often credited with creating the hollow eggs we know and love today. They even created new machinery that isn't too dissimilar to the machines we use making chocolate eggs today!
Easter and Chocolate in the UK Today
The UK is still as in love with chocolate Easter eggs today as it was in the Victorian era, with many a supermarket looking like a chocolate Easter egg market for weeks leading up to the event. Surveys conducted by the British Retail Consortium reveal that over two-thirds of the British population buy Easter treats and chocolate eggs at Easter! That's about 80 million eggs, that's 8 eggs per child in the UK!
We're sure you'd love to enjoy one of these traditional hollow chocolate eggs this Easter, after all, Easter chocolate tastes better than any other chocolate, right? Well, we have all of the Easter treats you and your family could ever want! We have beautifully decorated Easter eggs, massive 4kg eggs, and a great deal more. Check out our full Easter collection while you're here so you don't miss out on the tastiest Easter eggs in the land!
Easter Egg Q and As
Why are chocolate eggs associated with Easter?
Chocolate eggs are associated with Easter celebrations due to historical traditions which date back to early Christians exchanging eggs as symbols of rebirth during the Lenten season.
What led to the popularity of chocolate eggs during the Victorian era?
The Victorian era witnessed the rise of chocolate eggs as an extravagant, luxurious and mouth-watering treat. They rose to fame very quickly, especially among children. This is primarily due to the innovative production techniques introduced by British chocolatiers like JS Fry & Sons.
How significant is chocolate consumption during Easter in the UK?
Chocolate consumption during Easter in the UK is substantial! Us Brits consume about 8kgs of chocolate per person per year. That's two of our giant easter eggs! And most of those 8kgs are consumed around Easter! It makes you proud to be British, doesn't it?
FAQs
The chocolate egg started as a pagan symbol of fertility and spring and developed into a representation of Christ's resurrection. To this day, it still holds this meaning for a variety of people from different backgrounds across the country.
Why are chocolate Easter eggs a thing? ›
The tradition of eating and gifting chocolate at Easter dates back centuries ago when Christian Europeans began exchanging eggs as symbols of rebirth during Lent season.
What does chocolate eggs have to do with Jesus? ›
The egg itself became a symbol of the Resurrection. Just as Jesus rose from the tomb, the egg symbolized new life emerging from the eggshell. In the Orthodox tradition, eggs are painted red to symbolize the blood that Jesus shed on the cross.
What is the story behind Easter eggs? ›
Early Christians in Mesopotamia dyed eggs in the period after Easter. The practice was adopted by the Orthodox Churches, and from there it spread into Western Europe. Eggs represent new life and rebirth, and it's thought that this ancient custom was absorbed into Easter celebrations.
Why do Christians give chocolate eggs as gifts at Easter? ›
The egg has been a symbol of rebirth and fertility for many centuries. Long before Christianity was introduced, eggs were painted with bright colours to celebrate the sunlight of spring.
Why is chocolate so popular at Easter? ›
Easter and chocolate have been together for centuries- dating back to 1873 when the first hollow Easter chocolate egg was sold in the UK by JS Frys and Son [1]. But why did confections in the shape of eggs find their way into Easter baskets? Eggs are a historical symbol of fertility and rebirth [2].
Why does the Easter Bunny bring chocolate eggs? ›
So why does the Easter bunny bring eggs? According to Discovery News, since ancient times, eggs and rabbits have been a symbol of fertility, while spring has been a symbol of rebirth. So even though rabbits don't lay eggs, the association of these symbols was almost natural.
Why is Easter celebrated with a bunny? ›
Originating among German Lutherans, the "Easter Hare" originally played the role of a judge, evaluating whether children were good or disobedient in behavior at the start of the season of Eastertide, similar to the "naughty or nice" list made by Santa Claus.
What not to do on Easter Sunday? ›
Traditionally, after blessing the food on Holy Saturday, we begin the celebration. However, there are some things you must not do on Easter. Sunday is a holy day that we should dedicate to God and use for rest. You should not then clean, wash, work or do other things.
What does the Easter bunny represent in Christianity? ›
The rabbit has pre-Christian roots associated with fertility, new life, and spring. However, early Christians weaved the pagan symbolism of the rabbit into their Christian traditions to make the teachings of Jesus Christ more amenable to those outside of the faith.
Throughout history, people have given each other eggs at spring festivals to celebrate the new season. Eggs represent new life and rebirth, and it's thought that this ancient custom became a part of Easter celebrations.
What gender is the Easter Bunny? ›
Sometime in the 1600s, the Germans converted the pagan rabbit image into Oschter Haws, a rabbit that was believed to lay a nest of colored eggs as gifts for good children. Since males don't lay eggs, one would surmise the 'Easter Bunny' must then be female.
What does the Easter Bunny and Easter eggs have to do with Jesus? ›
According to History.com, Easter eggs represent Jesus' resurrection. However, this association came much later when Roman Catholicism became the dominant religion in Germany in the 15th century and merged with already ingrained pagan beliefs. The first Easter bunny legends were documented in the 1500s.
What is the history of chocolate eggs at Easter? ›
In 1873, J.S. Fry & Sons produced the first hollow chocolate egg using egg moulds. Manufacturing their first Easter egg in 1875, Cadbury created the modern chocolate Easter egg after developing a pure cocoa butter that could be moulded into smooth shapes.
What does the chocolate egg represent? ›
The chocolate egg started as a pagan symbol of fertility and spring and developed into a representation of Christ's resurrection. To this day, it still holds this meaning for a variety of people from different backgrounds across the country.
Why is Easter called Easter? ›
Given the symbolism of new life and rebirth, it was only natural to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus at this time of the year. The naming of the celebration as “Easter” seems to go back to the name of a pre-Christian goddess in England, Eostre, who was celebrated at beginning of spring.
What does eggs and candy have to do with Easter? ›
Among the most popular sweet treats associated with this day are chocolate eggs, which date back to early 19th-century Europe. Eggs have long been associated with Easter as a symbol of new life and Jesus' resurrection.
Do Americans eat chocolate eggs for Easter? ›
Here's how consumers like to treat for the Easter season: Every-bunny has a favorite: Add some sweetness to any Easter basket with some of Americans' top Easter treats: Chocolate eggs or bunnies. Jelly beans.
What does the Easter Bunny have to do with Easter? ›
The exact origins of the Easter bunny are clouded in mystery. One theory is that the symbol of the rabbit stems from pagan tradition, specifically the festival of Eostre—a goddess of fertility whose animal symbol was a bunny. Rabbits, known for their energetic breeding, have traditionally symbolized fertility.
Do other countries eat chocolate Easter eggs? ›
Germany & Austria. 'Easter Baskets' filled with chocolate, Easter eggs and all kinds of toys are a real treat for children in Germany and Austria. The 'Osternest' is usually hidden somewhere in the garden and the children have to hunt for it.
