Where Do Easter Eggs Actually Come From?

At Easter, eggs suddenly appear everywhere – brightly coloured, beautifully decorated and sometimes carefully hidden. And honestly, most people don't really know why.

Mitzitant thought it was time to take a closer look. Because behind the Easter egg there is more than just a nice tradition – it is about history, spring and a story well worth telling.

A symbol with history

The egg has been seen as a symbol of new life and new beginnings for centuries. No wonder it plays such a big role in spring and at Easter.

In earlier times, the egg was something special. During Lent, eggs were not allowed to be eaten – so they were collected and preserved. At Easter, when the fast was over, they finally came to the table. And because that was a reason to celebrate, they were often dyed and beautifully decorated.

Why are Easter eggs colourful?

The bright colours were not just decorative. Eggs were dyed early on to tell them apart from uncooked or older eggs.

Over time this became a tradition in its own right: eggs were dyed, given as gifts and eventually hidden – much to the delight of children.

And somewhere along the way, the Easter Bunny entered the picture, bringing and hiding the eggs. Why a rabbit? Simple: the hare has long been associated with fertility and new life – making it a perfect symbol for spring.

From custom to tradition

Today Easter eggs are simply part of the occasion – whether dyed, painted or featured as part of a festive meal. In the Wirtshaus too they have their place, whether at the Easter spread, in a salad or classically as a hard-boiled egg on a cold platter. And somehow at this time of year you notice especially how Easter is more than just a public holiday – it is the moment when spring truly becomes tangible, on the plate, in the air and in the mood. Or as Mitzitant would say: "Easter without eggs is like a Wirtshaus without Schmäh."

Mitzitant x Easter Bunny

To celebrate Easter properly, Mitzitant came up with a special Easter promotion. On 3 April, Easter eggs were distributed in the neighbourhood around Urban-Loritz-Platz in the 7th district, with fantastic prizes to be won. The grand prize: a month's supply of Schnitzel! There were also pancake and Kaiserschmarrn parties and other culinary treats up for grabs. A Good Friday to remember.