Chapter 1: A Child's Easter Memories

As a five-year-old in Germany, I often found myself questioning the wisdom of adults during Easter. They claimed a rabbit had laid colorful eggs in fake nests and concealed them around the house. Seriously?

Even my younger sister, at just four, began to doubt the sanity of these tales. It felt as if the adults had indulged a bit too much in festive beverages. Despite my skepticism, I didn’t want to rock the boat. After all, questioning the magic could jeopardize our future chocolate egg stash, and I had a strong affinity for those treats.

So, my sister and I decided to play along. We were well aware of the best hiding spots in our home, as we often stashed our treasures throughout the year. Yet, we feigned confusion over the Easter Hare's hiding skills. When we “accidentally” stumbled upon the goodies, the joy on our parents' faces was priceless.

Calories? We were blissfully unaware. At ages four and five, we had a free pass to indulge without concern for health or logic. My true concern lay in the day my taste buds would align with those of adults—eating Easter eggs in a decidedly less exciting manner.

Living in Baden, a region celebrated for its culinary delights akin to French cuisine, we took pride in our unique way of enjoying Easter treats. The locals often joke, “We can do everything, except speak proper German,” which sets us apart from Bavarians, who share a similar linguistic challenge.

Before my tastes inevitably shift to those of adulthood, I implore you to try our Baden-style egg preparation. Trust me, it’s better than it appears!

The method is simple: start with a hard-boiled egg, slice it in half, and gently extract the yolk (don’t eat it just yet!). Add a splash of vinegar and olive oil to the egg white, a dollop of mustard, a sprinkle of salt, then top it off with the yolk and enjoy it in one bite.

If this sounds overwhelming, it might just explain why adults share such outlandish stories about the Easter Hare.

My sister (still a girl, as I must remind you) will soon start fretting about calories, as I’ve been informed by a very credible source—Anna, our eight-year-old neighbor—that this is a common concern for girls her age.

For a deeper understanding of the Easter Hare and its origins, Ashllyn T. 💐 has penned a fascinating article that offers more sensible explanations than the whimsical tales we hear from adults.

Cautionary Note: As an adult, I’d like to remind you not to fret about enjoying eggs. My own exploration of this topic can be found here.

Even now, my adult self is still on the hunt for Easter eggs. In both Baden and Bavaria, we discover them in charming villages that adorn their fountains for the holiday.