Kinder Überraschung, or children surprise (also “Kinder Egg”), is the name of a glorious candy egg available in Germany and throughout most of Western Europe. As you might have guessed by its name, each egg has a surprise toy inside.

Kinder Eggs are not available in the U.S. except when brought back by someone who was recently in Europe, as is the case with the egg I have resting beside me presently (thanks, Kai). Apparently, legislation was passed in the 1930s that barred candy from containing non-food items. Someone probably choked to death in an idiotic way. That is, after all, how we come by most of our legislation in this country.

Nonetheless, I’ve come to posses one, which pleases me immensely. As a small child, I traveled to Germany with my parents. I remember very little from that trip, but I remember loving Kinder Eggs. As an adult, they’re no less wonderful. I’m using mine as an exercise in self-control despite my intense longing to know whether it’s one of the rare eggs with a Smurf inside.

And the makers of Kinder Überraschung are quite Web savvy — some eggs contain Internet surprises; unique pass codes that open up interactive games and downloads. Very cool! Check out this ad from 2007 to get a feel for what you’re missing:

Thank you, Herr Blum, for giving me back a small piece of my childhood and making my sister envious :)

Lass dich überraschen,

Nicole