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History of the Easter Eggs and ‘Mona’

Easter is a celebration full of tradition all over the world. Above all, with regard to gastronomy. In Spain we spend the year waiting to eat the ‘Mona de Pascua’ and in the UK the protagonists are the Eggs. They are two typical sweets of this time of the year that have a spectacular flavor and an amazing history.

The ‘Mona de Pascua’ is a kind of sweet bun made with flour, yeast, oil, sugar and orange and lemon zest. A boiled egg is placed right in the center and is eaten mainly at the snack. The egg is not just to eat, but you must do something very important with it. Exploit it on the forehead of a family member or friend! This will give good luck to both the owner and the receiver. This dish comes from the Muslim era and is a sweet that the Moors gave to their masters. According to historians, the word ‘mona’ comes from the Arabic ‘munna’, which means ‘provision of the mouth’.

It is a confiture typical of all the towns of the Mediterranean, although it is also shared in the rest of Spain. The tradition says that the godparents must give the mona to their godchildren on Easter Sunday. That day, families and friends gather in the countryside to enjoy and share the dinner. There ‘Monas’ with animal shapes, like rabbits or snakes, and children always prefer them with the chocolate egg. And many adults too!

mona de pascuaOn the hunt for Easter eggs!

Speaking of the egg: this food takes us a little more to the north of Spain, specifically to the United Kingdom. Because these oval and delicious foods are the main protagonists of Holy Week in the British countries. The ‘Easter Eggs’ are usually made of chocolate and decorated with beautiful designs, shapes and spring colors. They are given as a gift to  the loved ones. This custom dates back to the time of Mesopotamia, and spread to Russia and Siberia. Later, it arrived in northern Europe. They were a very scarce food in the winter season. Therefore, these decorations were made to celebrate the arrival of spring and the end of the privation.

In ancient times, hens’ eggs or porcelain eggs were decorated, but nowadays chocolate is used mainly. They are a delight! Children spend whole days painting their pieces and preparing for Easter.

Of course, to enjoy your Easter eggs, you must first find them. The ‘Egg Hunt’ is a very rooted game in which these gifts are hidden throughout the house and the youngest must find them. The one that obtains the greatest number has an assured prize.

These Easter sweets are the most greedy and funny part of the holiday. If during Easter you are staying in  Be Alicante, you can enjoy the Easter ‘Mona’ in practically all the bakeries of Alicante. Do not miss the opportunity to try it.

 

 

 

 

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