Easter Candy May Have Started with the Hot Cross Bun

As Easter approaches we could begin to think about the solemnity of the holiday and what it means in relationship to our faith. We could think about the gatherings of family members to enjoy a feast of delectable foods and lots of laughs and games. We could think about the approaching of spring and that new life is just waiting to bud up from beneath the ground. Or, like the holiday-celebrating Americans we are, we could start thinking CANDY. That's right, in the year 2000, Americans spent 1.9 billion on Easter candy, and by now, seven years later, that amount has soared.

Easter comes in right behind Halloween for candy purchasing. We consume around 8 billion pounds of candy a year in our country, and Easter time generates a significant amount candy purchasing.

Every year the markets swell with beautiful pastel and chocolate candies displayed to tempt the heartiest of saints. Store shelves are filled with colorful Jelly Beans, chocolate bunnies, chicks, and eggs, as well as those adorable little Marshmallow Peeps. By the way, reports say that in "1957 it took 27 hours to make a Peep and today it only takes 6 minutes." M&M's now come in lovely spring pastels rather than the usual reds, greens, and browns to help us celebrate Easter.

The candy celebrations at Easter feel like they have been around forever, but it appears that is not the case. There are some treats that popped up in Europe that could have lead to our sweet tooth around Easter each year. An English tradition of hot cross buns for breakfast on Good Friday could very well be the original Easter treat. Many Europeans also enjoyed baked pretzels as a special treat around Easter. In the 1800s chocolate became more readily available in Europe and boom, there you have it, the start of Easter candy madness. Chocolate could be made in all kinds of shapes and sizes, most importantly an egg shape, and thus became hugely popular, especially to those with a sweet tooth.

The true history of Easter is apparent to those who recognize and celebrate this holiday, but now you know the origin of Easter candy. Yes, there should always be the large family gatherings, the yummy afternoon dinner, and religious recognition. But now we understand that when jelly beans and chocolate eggs start to line the shelves at the grocery it is time for a day of fun, laughter, and best of all a sugar induced celebration of one of the greatest holidays of the year.

Christopher Pratt is President of Candy Warehouse, the leading candy store for bulk candy discounts and specialty candy for specific occasions. Candy Warehouse has novelty candy for many special occasions such as Easter candy for all your special holiday needs.