Fun Facts lists facts about the area and other relevant topics.
Why do we dye eggs for Easter?
According to MentalFloss.com, the tradition of decorating eggs may go all the way back to the ancient pagans. It’s easy to see why eggs represent rebirth and life, so associating them with spring and new growth isn’t much of a stretch. In celebration of spring, people colored eggs and gave them to friends and family as gifts.
According to some legends, the dyeing of Easter eggs represents the blood of Jesus Christ that was shed on the cross. As the story goes, “Mary brought eggs with her to Jesus’ crucifixion, and blood from his wounds fell on the eggs, coloring them red. Another tells us that Mary Magdalene brought a basket of cooked eggs to share with other women at Jesus’ tomb three days after his death. When they rolled back the stone and found the tomb empty, the eggs turned red.”
How did the tradition of eating ham for Easter start?
For many, it’s hard to image Easter without ham. According to the Encyclopedia of Religion, eating ham on Easter symbolizes “good luck” for many cultures around the world. Some historians point to something far more simple – the time of year. Farmers slaughtered pigs in the fall and smoked the pork for several months, making it ready in April for Easter dinner.
Where did the Easter Bunny come from?
Like many Easter traditions, the Easter bunny evolved out of ancient fertility and spring celebrations, according to Good Housekeeping. Rabbits give birth in the spring. In areas where the fields became overrun with baby bunnies, it was natural to incorporate the rabbit as a symbol for spring and, eventually, Easter.
The History Channel says some sources indicated that the Easter bunny first arrived in America in the 1700s with German immigrants who settled in Pennsylvania and transported their tradition of an egg-laying hare called “Osterhase” or “Oschter Haws.” Children made nests in which it could lay its colored eggs. Eventually, the tradition evolved and nests became baskets filled not only with eggs but also chocolate and other candies.
Are Peeps Indestructible?
Peeps are sometimes jokingly described as “indestructible,” according to Wikipedia. In 1999 scientists at Emory University jokingly performed experiments on batches of Peeps to see how easily they could be dissolved, burned or otherwise disintegrated, using such agents as cigarette smoke, boiling water and liquid nitrogen. In addition to discussing whether Peeps migrate or evolve, they claimed that the eyes of the confectionery “wouldn’t dissolve in anything.” One website claims that Peeps are insoluble in acetone, water, diluted sulfuric acid, and sodium hydroxide (the site also claims that the Peeps experimental subjects sign release forms). Concentrated sulfuric acid seems to have effects similar to the expected effects of sulfuric acid on sugar.
This debate featured in an episode of the sitcom Malcolm in the Middle (“Traffic Jam”), in which Francis, insisting the “Quacks” (as they were called) would dissolve in his stomach rather than expand, takes up the dare to eat 100 of them, does so, but gets very sick in the process.
As marshmallow ages exposed to air — it dehydrates, becoming “stale” and slightly crunchy. According to Just Born, 25%-30% of their customers prefer eating Peeps stale.
Two-thirds of Americans will make an Easter basket
According to the National Confectioners Association, two-thirds of Americans will make Easter baskets in 2019. The tradition of filling Easter baskets with sweets and treats continues in American households. Parents care more than ever about portion size when it comes to treats. 85% of parents say that individual packs and fun size packages will influence the Easter treats they purchase. Chocolate eggs and bunnies continue to be America’s favorite Easter candy. When it comes to Easter treats, 55 percent of Americans say chocolate eggs and bunnies are their favorite, while jelly beans and candy-coated eggs are not far behind.
Copyright © 2024 EYT Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. Any copying, redistribution or retransmission of the contents of this service without the express written consent of EYT Media Group, Inc. is expressly prohibited.
