Once a treat reserved for only the most wealthy, today Nestlé manufactures millions of delicious chocolate eggs each year.
Whether you're sitting down to enjoy your own chocolate egg this weekend (or maybe pinching someone else's!), what you may not realise is just how much history sits behind this iconic treat.
To celebrate this wonderful history, we have delved in to the archives to share a collection of nostalgic images spanning more than 100 years.
Join us on a trip down memory lane with a snapshot of the past that is sure to have you feeling sentimental.
With a library reaching as far back as the 11th century, images which are kept by the Borthwick Institute for Archives in York, reveal how much seasonal treats have changed over generations and how production lines looked in this bygone era.
A Rowntree's Easter catalogue dating back to 1915 gives a sneaky peek on what easter eggs of the future were to look like, with designs and creations becoming more elaborate as we move in to the 1920s.
This quirky design features a wicker motor car carrying its supply of chocolate eggs, available to lucky customers back in 1925.
By the 1930s, innovative designs that customers could get their hands on might look more familiar to a modern day audience. Unfortunately, this innovation was sadly cut short during the war years and with the emergence of rationing. Production on these seasonal favourites ceased for a period of time.
However, by the 1970s Rowntree Mackintosh was back creating egg shaped treats with some of Britain's most well known and loved brands, many of which are still around today, 50 years later.
The brands that we know and love today may not have been around quite as long as a century just yet, but they have been firm family favourites for the last 50 years. Let's take a look at one amazing brand's iconic egg journey…
Smarties
The decade where d.i.s.c.o was king, glam rock ruled the airwaves and geometric prints were the toast of the fashion world. Smarties eggs have just been born and what a journey they are about to embark on.
Trends move on and so do egg designs. The 80s sees the emergence of power dressing and punk music but our classic eggs stick to what they do best. Bold colours and sugar-shelled sweet treats.
The decade that saw the birth of 'Friends' and the Spice Girls. While fashions may have been minimalist, Smarties eggs were well and truly part of the easter egg landscape, with quirky and characterful creatures now featuring in the fun packaging designs of the time.
20 years ago we were rocking boho-chic styles and listening to dance music artists like Daft Punk. Our eggs were also given a makeover, bringing them up to date with bright colours and eye catching graphics.
Those vibrant colours and funky fonts are still present in the 2010s. With minimalism re-emerging as a trend in both fashion and packaging design, this Smarties egg keeps it classic.
While the most iconic trends of this decade are yet to be decided, you can still count on Nestlé to deliver beautiful packing and unforgettable chocolate treats we hope will be around for the next 100 years.
