Traditionally, rabbits have been a symbol of fertility, while eggs have been synonymous with life and rebirth. So how did the first chocolate Easter eggs come about? Here, we will tell you about the history behind this tradition and share some delicious pairings to try at home.
While we are still unclear as to the exact origin of the chocolate egg tradition, history does reveal some symbolism behind the eggs for different cultures. The Egyptians, for example, saw eggs as synonymous with life, the intersection of the water, air, earth, and fire elements, and also as a symbol of rebirth associated with the Phoenix. Meanwhile, the early Hindus believed that the world was born from an egg, Brahma’s golden egg, which they worshiped. For the ancient Greeks, on the other hand, the Orphic Egg represented the universe. From the beginning, humanity has associated the egg with origin.
It was the early Christians in the Middle Ages who appropriated the image and applied it to Jesus Christ. They began to paint eggs for Holy Week, when they were prohibited from eating them. But it was not until the 19th century in the Russian high society when the first chocolate eggs appeared with gifts inside them to celebrate Easter.
And the Easter bunny?
The mythical figure of the bunny that brings eggs to children comes from folklore, although its exact origin is unknown. One theory dates back to the 17th century and the German pagan celebration of “Osterhase,” also known as the “Easter hare,” which hid colorful eggs for children to find around the house. German immigrants arriving to the United States in the 1700s brought with them and spread the tradition of giving eggs, bunnies, and candy to children for Easter. However, the tradition plays out differently in different countries. Whereas some countries forgo chocolate eggs for real eggs, in some places like Switzerland, the Easter bunny is replaced by a cuckoo bird.
Chocolate and wine
Taking advantage of the occasion and the context, why not talk about the delicious result of pairing chocolate and wine?
Since most Easter eggs are made from milk chocolate, that is, with a lower concentration of cocoa and much sweeter, we recommend enjoying them with a sparkling rosé, sweet white wine, or fruity red wine with soft tannins, like Marques de Casa Concha Merlot.
But if the Easter bunny left you white chocolate eggs, which are higher in fat content, a good pairing is Marques de Casa Concha Pinot Noir, since the chocolate will help bring out the red fruit notes often found in this wine.
For those looking for a wine to pair with dark chocolate, a good option is a red wine with some residual sugar content. You could try wines like Marques de Casa Concha Syrah or Marques de Casa Concha Malbec.
