It was in the late 19th and early 20th centuries that dyed Easter eggs became something to give to children rather than to the Church, the poor or to local authorities.
The Victorian era was a notable time of change for ideas about family life, and Easter was among the many religious holidays that saw a shift toward family-friendliness, with an emphasis on rituals geared toward kids. Easter-egg hunts soon followed, and it was right around that time that the first White House Easter Egg Roll took place, in The working classes began adopting these traditions in the first half of the 20th century as their wages increased a bit, allowing them to invest more in the holiday celebration.
By the end of the 20th century, Easter eggs could mean any hidden treat — but the real deal, whether made of Oreo Creme or actual eggs, continues to delight each year at Easter time. Write to Olivia B. Waxman at olivia. By Olivia B. Get our History Newsletter. Put today's news in context and see highlights from the archives.
Please enter a valid email address. Please attempt to sign up again. Sign Up Now. An unexpected error has occurred with your sign up. The seven foot chocolate Easter egg. What is Remembrance Sunday?
Should the number of dislikes on YouTube videos be hidden? How you can help garden wildlife this winter. Home Menu. Why do we have Easter eggs and the Easter bunny?
Why do we have Easter eggs? Why are Easter eggs made of chocolate? Getty Images. What's the Easter Bunny then? More like this. How to make Easter chocolate egg nests 25 Mar 25 March The seven foot chocolate Easter egg 29 Mar 29 March By the 19th century cardboard eggs covered with silk, lace or velvet and fastened with ribbon were fashionable.
In Europe Easter eggs are taken seriously. The old art of decorating the real egg is still very much alive. Many of them are dyed red to symbolise Christ's blood. The chocolate Easter egg has developed from the simple type wrapped in paper to the beribboned variety wrapped in brightest foil and packed in a box or basket. The first chocolate Easter eggs were made in Europe in the early 19th Century with France and Germany taking the lead in this new artistic confectionery.
A type of eating chocolate had been invented a few years earlier but it could not be successfully moulded. Some early eggs were solid while the production of the first hollow chocolate eggs must have been rather painstaking as the moulds were lined with paste chocolate one at a time! John Cadbury made his first 'French eating Chocolate' in but it was not until that the first Cadbury Easter Eggs were made.
This may have been because he was not sufficiently impressed with continental eggs to wish to compete with them or because he was too busy with other aspects of his growing business. In fact, progress in the chocolate Easter egg market was very slow until a method was found of making the chocolate flow into the moulds.
The modern chocolate Easter egg with its smoothness, shape and flavour owes its progression to the two greatest developments in the history of chocolate - the invention of a press for separating cocoa butter from the cocoa bean by the Dutch inventor Van Houten in and the introduction of a pure cocoa by Cadbury Brothers in The Cadbury process made large quantities of cocoa butter available and this was the secret of making moulded chocolate or indeed, any fine eating chocolate.
The earliest Cadbury chocolate eggs were made of 'dark' chocolate with a plain smooth surface and were filled with dragees. The earliest 'decorated eggs' were plain shells enhanced by chocolate piping and marzipan flowers. Decorative skill and variety soon followed and by there were no less than 19 different lines on the Cadbury Brothers Easter list in the UK.
Richard Cadbury's artistic skill undoubtedly played an important part in the development of the Easter range. Many of his designs were based on French, Dutch and German originals adapted to Victorian tastes. From Germany came the 'crocodile' finish which by breaking up the smooth surface, disguised minor imperfections; still used today by some manufacturers, this was the forerunner to the many distinctive finishes now available.
The launch in of the famous Cadbury's Dairy Milk Chocolate made a tremendous contribution to the Easter egg market. The popularity of this new kind of chocolate vastly increased sales of Easter eggs and did much to establish them as seasonal best sellers.
Today the Easter egg market is predominantly milk chocolate. There's ancient evidence of egg rolling. Egg rolling, which symbolised the rolling away of the tomb of Christ was a popular custom, probably the most popular, and is still played today in many countries throughout Europe today. The Washington Easter Egg Roll dates from at least , and now takes place as an annual event in the grounds of the White House. The children and grandchildren of the American President traditionally take part.
In pagan times the egg was believed to have special powers. It was buried under the foundations of buildings to ward off evil, and brides stepped upon an egg before crossing the threshold of their new home. To be given an egg was to wish many children upon the recipient.
Whatever your beliefs, Easter today represents a time for celebration of new life, spring and fertility. The giving of decorated Easter eggs and gifts, the Easter egg hunts, familiar images of young bunnies and chicks. They all combine many of the age-old customs so we can each enjoy in our own way, no matter how big or small the gesture. Our gourmet collection of fine chocolate Easter eggs and Easter novelties are carefully selected for their high quality ingredients and fantastic flavour.
Our Easter chocolate range includes luxury Easter egg gifts, Easter gift hampers , mini Easter eggs, Easter token gifts and Easter chocolate novelties including Easter bunnies and Easter chicks.
Order your Easter gift early and choose our special Easter delivery. A luxury Christmas food hamper has always been a popular gift choice at Christmas and Chocolate Trading Co has a range of luxury hampers, ideal for family gift giving this Christmas. Our personalised chocolate gift boxes offer a touch of Christmas sparkle to a very unique Christmas present with 7 festive themed designs to choose from.
What is 'Sail Shipped'? We find out.. The Oeuf Caramel, Kewane chocolate gift Easter egg. Order early to avoid disappointment due to Lockdown demand. Send a chocolate gift box today with your own personalised message.
0コメント