Easter In Italy
Easter in Italian is Pasqua.
For Italians there is perhaps no more of an enchanting season than that of Spring. In fact it is very common to hear the phrase “Buona Pasqua e Felice Primavera!” (Have an enjoyable Easter and a Joyous Spring!). Whilst the land thaws, the warmth of the sun can be felt once more and, excitedly, we welcome the season of rebirth. Easter, in Italy, marks the beginning of the Spring season and is celebrated more than just on the one day but rather celebrated as a season of hope, renewal and joy.
La Pasquetta, the Monday after Easter Sunday, is also a public holiday throughout the country. Referred to as “Little Easter” or “Easter Monday” which is always a day that traditionally, most young people will celebrate amongst friends instead of with family almost like our “Friendsgiving” here in the U.S. In fact, there is a country wide saying that goes, “Natale con i tuoi, a Pasqua con chi vuoi.” (At Christmas with your parents, at Easter with whomever you want.)
For most Italians the beginning of the Easter season marks the end of the Lenten period. The end of a cold winter sacrifice and hope for a joyous spring filled with peace and hope. The consumption of all things typically not permitted during lent (meat, sweets and alcohol) tend to be in abundance once Easter arrives. In Italy there is no representation of the “Easter Bunny”, instead they concentrate on beautifully crafted Easter chocolate eggs, some with a surprise, such as a small toy, inside the chocolate egg.
Baratti & Milano is famous and sought out yearly for their one of a kind specialty Easter eggs. Not only are they particular in that there are only four craftsmen chocolatiers in the Piedmont region of Italy that can create these masterpieces of confectionary delights but also they offer the signature Baratti & Milano high quality ingredients and distinct flavor. From our signature Cremino style eggs to our 70% dark Ghana sourced chocolate, there are plenty of flavors to choose from to treat your friends or family this Easter season.
The first chocolate Easter eggs made in the 18th century were simply small egg sized and shaped and solid chocolate form. Soon, however, they became more elaborate and some are purely magical works of art! The chocolate Eggs were often hollowed out and filled with a surprise; trinkets, jewelry, little toys for children or even in some cases for royal families throughout history, jewels!
The artisan egg is a centuries-old symbol of excellence for Easter festivities and all-Italian beauty. The history of the egg dates back to ancient times: since the Middle Ages, eggs were a symbol of sacredness and mystery because they were capable of generating life. For the pagans they represented fertility; for Greeks, Chinese and Persians a gift for spring festivals that brought great change; for the Egyptian philosophers they were the fulcrum of the four elements and for Catholics a symbol of resurrection and joy. As early as the 18th century in Turin, chocolate eggs were made at the King’s Court and jewels and noble thoughts were inserted into the eggs hollow. At the same time in Russia the jeweler Peter Carl Faberge’ assembled jeweled eggs for tsars and tsarines with gifts and games of the highest French production inside.
After World War II, in Piedmont, Baratti & Milano, and other wonderful assembly of noble confectioners thought of making chocolate gems for homes and families, symbolizing a rebirth of the country and its people.
From our Baratti & Milano family to yours, we wish you a Happy Easter and Joyous Spring!
