Easter eggs are an opportunity to indulge oneself after the privations of Lent; or at least that is what I thought prior to making the acquaintance of a dairy free, wheat free, gluten free, egg free, vegan Easter egg, (see picture 1). I have renamed this Easter egg The Lent Continued Easter Egg. It is ideal for pious Catholics and those with food allergies. My condolences go out to any unfortunate children who will be receiving Lent Continued Easter Eggs this Easter.
My local supermarket contains the expected deluge of Easter eggs (see picture 2), each struggling for attention amongst the crowded shelves. Perusing these commercial offerings I am unsurprised to see that there is no mention of the traditions of Easter, neither the story of Jesus nor the traditions of Lent. But the Church of England has not surrendered in the face of this apparent overwhelming apathy and is fighting back with The Real Easter Egg. These can be found in stores across the UK (see picture 3). Not only is the story of Jesus depicted on the sides and back of the box but the chocolate is of the fair trade variety and a percentage of sales go to charity.
(Easter egg picture 3)
For those of us emaciated from our Lenten fasts might I suggest a gargantuan Easter egg (see picture 4); an Easter egg that if camouflaged with foliage could masquerade as part of the scenery in any Easter egg hunt.
(Easter egg picture 4)
And for those unwilling to dine on the chocolate of the proletariat there is the Charbonnel et Walker milk chocolate egg with pink mare de champagne truffle (see picture 5). Or even the rather pompous Ladurée petal egg (see picture 6); an egg not content with being oval it has instead embraced a postmodern deconstructed look. The Ladurée petal egg is decorated with crystallised rose, jasmine and violet petals, garnished with dark, milk and praline chocolate figurines and bells. This limited addition offering has a reassuringly expensive price tag of £72.50.
(Easter egg picture 5) (Easter egg picture 6)
If anyone has any Easter egg related observations that they would like to share, please feel free to leave comments below. Happy Easter.