Easter (Ostern)

A Germanic influence is prevalent throughout many of our American Easter traditions! Of all of the symbols associated with Easter (Ostern in German), the egg -- the symbol of new life -- is the most identifiable. Boiling eggs and decorating them began in Germany, where Easter eggs were painted with bright colors to represent the sunlight of spring. Originally in Germany, these eggs, along with other Easter gifts, were given to children. Today, most children prefer a delicious assortment of German chocolates, hand-made truffles, pralines or candies in their Easter baskets. Not surprisingly, Germany reigns as the #1 exporter of confections in Europe, many of which are readily available at specialty retail stores.

The Easter bunny, first mentioned in German writing in the 1500s and one of the most fertile animals, serves as a symbol of the fertile ground of spring. German children believe that if they are good, the Osterhase, literally the Easter bunny, will lay a nest of colored eggs and hide them throughout the home. In the early 1800s, the first edible Easter bunnies were made of pastry and sugar in Germany. Still today, you can get delicious tasting Easter bunnies made of finest German chocolate or marzipan around the Easter season. Check out our Seasonal Products page for Easter items from Germany available in the US. Many of these items are available from online retailers.

Easter trees (Osterstrauch) have long been a part of the German Easter celebration. These trees are decorated with hollowed eggs, which are dyed and hung with colorful ribbon throughout the week of Easter. Fancifully hand-painted eggs can retail at stores for several dollars each. However, these traditional eggs can be made at home just as easily and more authentically!

Easter in Germany starts on Gründonnerstag or Maundy Thursday. On that day people eat preferably green dishes like "seven herbs soup" with spinach, parsley, leek, chive, dandelion and sorrel. The name derives from greinen, an old German word for mourning or crying. The Friday before Easter is known as Karfreitag (Good Friday) and traditionally people eat fish for dinner with their family. The main day of German Easter celebrations however is Easter Sunday. The whole family gathers together to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the end of the Lent with a festive meal. A very common dish is lamb since it represents innocence and humbleness. And, as we have in America, Germans have leftovers long after the holidays. They've come up with a delicious way to prepare them in a dish called Eier in gruener Sosse (Eggs in Green Sauce). Despite its name, it is a delicious favorite in the days following Easter. For other Easter recipes, search our recipe exchange.