On the Chocolate Trail

Surprisingly, according to some chocolate mavens, it may have been Jews in France, known as expert chocolate makers in Bayonne, France, who first developed chocolate Easter eggs. These, they say, were passed around during church services to provide morsels of sustenance.

Passover and Easter celebrations share an affinity for eggs as they represent of spring birthing and re-birthing. Passover’s egg decorates the ritual Seder plate and recalls the animal sacrifices for Passover offered in the ancient Jerusalem Temple when Passover was celebrated. In Christianity, eggs at Easter recall the resurrection of Jesus. Since eggs were not eaten during Lent preceding Easter the stored-up eggs were especially enjoyed on Easter. Fortunately chocolate versions followed.

Later, English chocolate companies vied for the distinction of making the first Easter egg there. Though Quakers, who founded those companies do not observe Easter, Fry’s saw a business opportunity in producing the first chocolate Easter egg in the United Kingdom in 1873. Cadbury’s website states that it brought out the first chocolate Easter egg in 1905.

The distinction of the first chocolate Easter egg maker may be disputed, as was use of the chocolate beverage during Lent. In the earliest days of chocolate use in Europe it was to alleviate thirst. Further, this argument went, Christians drank wine during fasts, so chocolate drinking should be permitted. However, if the chocolate was intended as nutriment, as when mixed with milk or bread, it should not be permitted. Finally, in 1666, the Holy Office ended the debate, determining that chocolate drinking during Lent was to be strictly limited to that made only with water and without sugar or milk.  The earliest sips of chocolate generated some controversy.

Today’s Guatemalan Lenten customs also connect to chocolate. During the days leading up to Easter week, drinking chocolate is preferred to coffee. On the Wednesday of Holy Week known as Semana Santa, young men customarily pilgrimage to the coast’s ancient cacao groves to gather cocoa pods and cocoa branches to decorate the town.

In France prior to Easter, fish-shaped chocolates are abundantly available. While no one could explain this to us, I figure that Jesus and fish were associated through the miracles of the fish. Also, the Greek letters for the word for “fish” relate to an acrostic referring to Jesus as messiah. Fish come to symbolize Jesus.

To round out the story of chocolate and Easter–origins of chocolate eggs, Lenten customs, the French chocolate fish–the 20th century Orthodox Jewish owned chocolate company, Barton’s, produced Easter eggs. And, they were kosher!

I hope that you enjoy whichever version or shape chocolate you may be tasting today.