Where do the chocolate eggs actually originate from?
By Rhea Christopher
It’s that time of year when masses upon masses of leftover chocolate eggs are on sale prices in stores after the festivities of Easter. From mini eggs to the fancy types, society’s love for chocolate is embraced to the fullest.
“Chocolate eggs are more of symbol of life and rebirth, rather than the chocolate itself,” says Emma Azevedo, 26, a Senior Computer Technician who is also Roman Catholic. Originating during the Medieval period, real eggs were dyed and painted in the days coming up to Easter Sunday, representing the blood of Jesus. Azevedo says, “The shell is the tomb and the chick is the resurrection of Jesus. Modern traditions have now adopted the chocolate eggs instead of real eggs.”
The tradition of dying eggs is still very popular within the Eastern Orthodox Church. On Easter Sunday, every Orthodox household enjoys a game of cracking their eggs and whoever’s egg doesn’t crack wins. “We believe it brings good luck and most importantly it’s very fun, especially for the kids. I believe traditions like that help them grow and develop better characters,” says Galia Piskova, 35, a Bank Manager who is part of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church.
It is not only about the egg during Easter, but it is the traditions that bring families together; from making pastries, to preparing the food and dying the eggs. It is a reminder of the Christian message of charity.
This message, however, is not so clear in stores when chocolate eggs fill aisles to the rim and the hot topic of every conversation is about where to find the cheapest eggs. By releasing products before Lent (the 40-day period before Easter Sunday), usually around March, it is a clear marketing scheme. Piskova believes that "it’s unnecessary and creates bad eating habits for children.”
With many campaigns to encourage children, and adults, towards healthy eating, it could be said that shops discourage people from a healthy diet by encouraging them to eat sweets and chocolates - via cheap prices and the organisation of aisles - around the holiday periods. The same pattern occurs around Christmas and Halloween.
“Those running these corporations have a flippant disregard for the health of those who they are encouraging to eat unhealthily and only care to line their pockets,” says Alex Lysandrou, 25, a builder and an Atheist.
There is an advantage to the early releasing of eggs, though. According to Azevedo, “it does allow customers to buy them in advanced to save time so that they focus on on their religion and other commitments.”
Ultimately, it could be argued that it is down to the parents as to what their children eat so the shops are not to blame. And as Azevedo said, if people want to commit to their religious beliefs, nothing will stop them.
