On the Origin of Easter and Chocolate

For the secular individual, Easter has long been synonymous with chocolate, dying Easter eggs, and jelly beans rather than the resurrection of Christ. But how did this most sacred Christian holiday become the second highest top selling candy holiday of the year?

It goes back to the pagan belief that eggs produced fertility and re-birth. By the 1800's, Christians had adopted the symbol of the egg as part of the Easter festivities, representing the resurrection of Christ following His crucifixion. The use of eggs as symbolism evolved into gifts of chocolate dates back to the 19^th century in Europe, according to eHow. A tradition of giving chocolate eggs as gifts developed; a tradition which quickly spread through the rest of the world. According to Sharon Cacho in the “History of Chocolate and Easter”, the Easter egg was well recognized and quite customary by the 1960s, and from there other versions of Easter candy and other Easter novelty items were created, such as the Peeps that are so well-loved and are a staple in most Easter baskets.

And that is a short history lesson on the origin of Easter and chocolate. Looking for away to spruce up your Easter candy? Visit Treasured Sweets and purchase some great personalized candy bar wrappers that will be a hit at any Easter gathering.

This was researched and written by my lovely daughter, Jennifer Bowman. Thank you Jenn!

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Chocolate Fun Facts

Just a little information on our favorite, CHOCOLATE! This wonderful tasty treat may even be good for us!!!

The Latin name for the cacoa tree, Theobrama cacao, means "food of the Gods."

Hawaii is the only state that grows cacao beans to produce chocolate.

The average American eats 10 - 12 pounds of chocolate a year!

Recent research at University of California has found that chocolate carries high levels of chemicals known as phenolics, some of which may lower the risk of heart disease.

In 1900 Hershey introduced milk chocolate bars which sold for $0.05.

The Hershey Kiss was introduced in 1907. Today 80 million kisses are produced in one day! It takes 95 kisses to make one pound.

Spice up your S'mores!

I love S'mores but I came across a way to double the yum factor.

Swap out the traditional Hershey bar for my absolute all time favorite candy bar, Reese's Peanut Butter Cup! Take it one more step and replace the graham cracker with large chocolate chip cookies!!!

Let's add this one to the menu on Chocolate Day!

Did you ever think to use chocolate bars for...

My favorite way, which was the inspiration in creating Treasured Sweets, is to use a chocolate bar to announce the birth of your precious new baby. I really have no idea how giving out smelly old cigars to announce the birth of baby ever came about. I think such a sweet time in your life, should be treated as such and what is sweeter than chocolate!

I love, love, love chocolate bars to be used as place setting cards at Weddings, and then your guests also have a fabulous treasured keepsake from your special day.

If you are a business owner, the possibilities are just endless for you! I probably could of dedicated a whole blog here, but for now let me just share this: send/give customers chocolate thank you bars!!! Everyone loves chocolate and they will remember how sweet your service was. Just one more, send your customers personalized chocolate bars for their birthdays, branded with your business and feature a special offer.

A great idea for teachers would be to give each student a chocolate bar on back to school night listing their schedule or supplies they will need. (Please check for any food allergies first.)

Another event where you could use chocolate bars is for family reunions or family holiday barbeque's. Our wrappers are acid free, which makes them perfect for scrap booking!

Of course, any occasion where you have "party favors", such as showers, graduation, and birthday's are all excellent events for personalized chocolate bars.

You know you really can't go wrong with chocolate at any event. Everyone loves it!