Easter Eggs
It is Easter egg time for many but where does the seasonal chocolate treat tradition come from and when did it start? If you want to know who to thank for the fun of the Easter egg hunt, the chocolate egg, read on to find out more about the Easter Bunny, the Cadbury Brothers, and the coveted Fabergé eggs. More importantly, find out about the Easter treats we have in store to suit every chocoholic’s needs.
Dating back to Pagan times, both bunnies and eggs have been symbols of spring, fertility, and new beginnings. They were believed to have magical powers, and age-old traditions are still observed by modern-day pagans who symbolically plant seeds, and hold egg races and hunts. Rabbits were also symbolic in the world of mythology, with the Norse goddess Ostara (otherwise known as Eastre) associated with them. Many believe that the legend of the Easter Bunny and hunting for eggs originated in Germany, where Christian Reformer Martin Luther was said to have suggested men hide eggs in their garden for wives and children to find; the hunt represented searching for Christ’s tomb and the risen Jesus.
Before we were blessed with the invention of the chocolate versions, eggs used to be painted with bright colours to celebrate the arrival of spring. Even in the Middle Ages, different European cultures evolved individual decoration styles. For example, crimson eggs were popular in Greece, whereas Eastern Europe and Russia favoured a silver and gold design. You may have heard of the precious 19th Century Fabergé eggs which were commissioned for Russian tsars, adorned with jewels and intricate art. One of these sparkly eggs recently fetched a $33 million price tag - but if you ask us, chocolate wins every time. Our Cocoba Golden Caramel Egg is proof. Hand decorated with a layer of white chocolate drizzle and caramel pieces; this gives the Fabergé eggs a run for their money.
Alternatively try our Bons Bons Easter Egg Hunt package, available in two sizes, which are an ode to the Easter Bunny, and perfect for organising a hunt!
By the Victorian period, people were fed up with ordinary eggs and were creating pasteboard or papier-mâché versions in which they hid small presents. The art of eggs continued to develop at full speed, with cardboard eggs eventually covered in silk, lace, or velvet, and fastened with a ribbon. Religious connotations were not forgotten, with many of these artistic eggs being dyed red to symbolise Christ’s blood.
Finally, we get to the arrival of the first chocolate Easter eggs, made in Europe in the early 19th Century with France and Germany taking the lead. Initially solid chocolate, the hollow egg was developed as moulding techniques were perfected. In 1873, Fry & Sons came out with the first hollow egg, soon followed by Cadbury’s version in 1875. The invention of a press for separating cocoa butter from the cocoa bean was to thank for the new high quality eating chocolate which is still enjoyed today; the famous Dairy Milk version in 1905 became the most popular. But for the very finest milk chocolate, try our Milkey Hokey Pokey Egg, a luxurious treat speckled with honeycomb.
Our Cocoba Strawberries & Cream Egg is eye-catchingly bright if you’re looking for something more vibrant. Adorned with strawberry pieces, the fruity flavours pair magnificently with the sweetness of creamy white chocolate.
So, whether you prefer yours made of chocolate, painted by hand, or filled with surprises, Easter eggs carry with them centuries of tradition and joy.
The ultimate homage to eggs is on in London at the moment: the world’s biggest egg hunt by Elephant Family and Clarence Court. The Big Egg Hunt 2025 is a free public exhibition showcasing leading artists’ designs, hidden in cityscapes.
However you’re celebrating, have a very Happy Easter, and look out for the array for events on in London this weekend. From a religious re-enactment in Covent Garden, to a Lindt Gold Bunny trail in Hampton Court, click here to see what else is on offer.