Why Easter eggs represent more than tasty chocolate (From Worcester News)

Why Easter eggs represent more than tasty chocolate

8:48am Friday 21st March 2008 in Features By Alicia Kelly, @aliciakellyWN #worcsnews

AN Easter egg is not just a chocolate egg any more. Extra sweets, mugs, even manicures and pedicures are now all part of the package. You can buy an egg named after your favourite chocolate bar or themed on your favourite TV programme or cartoon character.

In some shops, for weeks, brightly coloured boxes have been stacked floor to ceiling shouting, buy me, eat me' at passers-by.

And thousands give in to temptation - but why?

For Christians celebrating Easter, the eggs represent new life and help symbolise the Easter story of Jesus's crucifixion, subsequent resurrection and the promise of eternal life for his followers. Some also believe the egg represents the stone rolled back from Jesus's tomb.

It is also thought that the egg symbol dates back to even earlier times and was part of pagan spring festivals celebrating fertility and re-birth, hence Easter chicks also feature.

Of course, it is only in relatively recent years, perhaps since the 1800s, that chocolate eggs began to appear. Before then people were more inclined to paint or decorate real eggs - an activity which continues in some schools today.

Easter also symbolises the end of Lent and this year Easter Sunday has fallen much earlier than usual. Easter Sunday can be any Sunday between March 22 and April 25 because, in simple terms, Easter is the first Sunday after the first full moon on or after the first day of spring.

It means, of course, that this year at least we can all tuck into our Easter eggs earlier than ever. So, to help, your Worcester News has taste-tested some of the treats on the market.

Cadbury's Dairy MilkChocolate content: 215gAdded extras: 2x Dairy Milk bars and a Cadbury's mugCosts: £5Health promises: NoneBest for: ChocoholicsVerdict: A creamy egg that melts in the mouth. Good value for money as it contained the most chocolate. Score: 3.5/5Thorntons Classic CollectionChocolate content: 175gAdded extras: 6x individual chocolates Costs: £5Health promises: No artificial colours, added preservatives, hydrogenated fats or GM ingredientsBest for: MumsVerdict: Smooth, thick chocolate with just the right amount of sweetness.Score: 4.5/5Kinnerton Spiderman eggChocolate content: 65gAdded extras: Second smaller egg and four piece breakfast set including toast stamp, ceramic plate, mug and egg cupCosts: £4Health promises: Nut free guaranteeBest for: Kids aged 3+Verdict: Rather bland with a hint of artificial sweeteners. Spiderman extras would keep the kids happy and not too much chocolate for children.Score: 1/5Nestle Aero BubblesChocolate content: 156gAdded extras: Bag of Aero Milk Bubbles and mini pamper gift certificateCosts: £5Health promises: NoneBest for: GirlsVerdict: Thick chocolate with a rich, cocoa taste. Gift experience is a novel extra.Score: 4/5Green and Black's OrganicChocolate content: 180gAdded extras: Milk chocolate mini eggsCosts: £5Health promises: Organic ingredients, no genetically manufactured ingredientsBest for: Eco-friendlyVerdict: A very strong taste and tasted a little like burnt sugar. You'll either love it or hate it.Score: 3/5