Nestlé UK & Ireland has released images of more than a dozen retro Easter eggs to take chocolate fans on a trip down memory lane ahead of celebrations this year.
The images, which are kept by the Borthwick Institute for Archives in York, span 100 years, and show how seasonal treats have changed through generations.
1920s
In 1924, the brands that shoppers know today hadn't begun their journeys, instead, chocolate fans could purchase a beautifully decorated milk chocolate egg, with shops able to specify a colour of ribbon they would like the eggs to be wrapped in.
Shoppers could also purchase a 'chocolate nest' with sugar coated chocolate eggs inside them.
1970s
In 1974, exactly 50 years ago, some of the brands that we see today had arrived. Quality Street offered a milk chocolate egg in two designs, Jelly Tots created a milk chocolate egg with the small jelly sweets inside and Smarties was also on the scene.
1980s
In 1984, just ten years later, After Eight, the luxurious mint thin brand had been born. Yorkie also came to market in the late 70s. Both brands had eggs to offer for Easter in 1984 alongside Quality Street.
1990s
1994 saw KitKat and Toffee Crisp join the seasonal range, and several of Nestlé's eggs sported bows, reminiscent of earlier creations back in 1924.
2000s
Smarties and KitKat Chunky featured in the 2004 spring offering.
2010s
2014 was Nestlé Confectionery's mug era! Recipients could expect to unwrap a shiny new cup to add to the eclectic collection in their kitchen cupboards. There was also one for the caramel fans, featuring Rolo, Munchies and the late Caramac.
2020s
In 2024, Nestlé UK & Ireland has an exciting range of new products including the Quality Street Golden Collection Incredible Egg, Rowntree's Randoms Incredible Egg, Smarties Sea Splash Egg and KitKat Easter Egg Hunt, available at stores nationwide.
