Large, hollow, chocolate casings, in the shape of an egg, usually filled with sweets, given as gifts at Easter. The tradition probably began in Germany around 1800, but only became widespread after the development of a reliable method of manufacturing solid eating chocolate by JS Fry and Sons in Bristol in the 1830's.

The first chocolate eggs may have been introduced in England by Fry's in 1873 or by Cadbury in 1875.


The Tatler - Wednesday 21 March 1923


As there is a commonplace concern that the Eggs are sold at the wrong time of year, the most remote sale from Easter-time we can find is a report from 'The Derby Daily Telegraph' of Wednesday 13 December 1950 that Easter Eggs were on sale in Derby Market.