A masterpiece of craftsmanship and an Easter classic – Fazer’s beloved Mignon egg turns 130
While visiting Germany back in 1896, Karl Fazer came up with the idea of a real eggshell that would be filled with chocolate. Ever since, the handcrafted Mignon egg has been one of Finland’s most cherished Easter products, with around 1.6 million eggs produced each year.
Fazer’s founder Karl Fazer came up with the idea of the Mignon egg during a business trip to Germany, and the rest is history: the production of this classic Finnish Easter delicacy began in 1896. Today, around 1.6 million Mignon eggs are produced annually at Fazer’s chocolate factory in Vantaa. Production of Mignon starts already before Christmas and, depending on when Easter falls, usually continues until early March.
How are Fazer’s Mignon eggs made?
Each Mignon egg is made by hand: eggshells are carefully emptied, cleaned and dried in a controlled process by Fazer’s supplier specialised in egg handling. Mignons are made of Finnish eggs because their quality and food safety are among the best in Europe. Only eggs of a specific size are chosen for Mignon, as the finished product must always be the same size for the consumer. The eggs must also have an even colour and surface.
Emptying the eggs requires several steps and considerable dexterity. First, a hole of 10–12 millimetres is drilled into the egg and its contents emptied. The removed egg mass is used elsewhere in the food industry, such as in bakeries. The shell is washed inside and out and placed in a warm room to dry. Once dry, the shells are carefully inspected, packed and sent to Fazer in Vantaa. Eggshells are processed all year round to ensure there are enough for Easter.
At Fazer’s chocolate factory, the shells are hand-filled with a dairy-free filling made from almonds, hazelnuts and cocoa. Finally, the eggs are sealed with sugar paste and packaged by hand.
130 years of stories and admirers
The Mignon egg has an exceptionally rich history. Among its early admirers was even Tsar Nicholas II of Russia, and over the decades the egg has become a favourite among both the public and artists. Tove Jansson designed an advertisement for Mignon in the 1950s, and the hand‑decorated Mignon eggs sold at the Kluuvikatu Café once became sought-after collector’s items.
Mignon continues to inspire new generations. It is an Easter classic around which countless traditions have formed: hidden eggs, treats shared between siblings, and Easter morning coffee moments.
Mignon 52 g
A handmade delicacy in a real eggshell, filled with delicious almond and hazelnut nougat. Decorate your Mignon as you wish, peel and enjoy! Dairy‑free, gluten‑free. Key Flag symbol.
Mignon 3‑pack
A special anniversary edition of Mignon eggs in a beautiful pack of three. Available at Fazer Experience Visitor Centre, Fazer Café Kluuvikatu and the Fazer Store online shop. Key Flag symbol.
Did you know?
At the Fazer Experience Visitor Centre there is a 3.2‑metre‑tall Mignon bunny made of 9,330 empty Mignon eggshells.
Press images:
https://fast.fazer.com/l/jzGx-CkdgQRJ
More information:
Fazer Media Phone Service is available Mon–Fri 8:00–16:00, tel. +358 40 668 2998, media@fazer.com
We follow Fazer’s Cocoa Vision in our cocoa sourcing. Read more: www.fazercocoavision.com/
Fazer Group
Fazer, The Food Experience Company, enables people to enjoy the best moments of their day. Our mission, Food with a purpose, builds on our strong more than 130-year heritage, consumer first approach and innovations to create the sustainable food solutions of the future. With our dedicated team of almost 5,000 professionals, we focus on fast-moving consumer goods and our direct-to-consumer business in Northern Europe, and beyond with exports to more than 40 countries. Fazer’s operations comply with its Code of Conduct that is based on the Group’s values and the UN Global Compact. In 2025, Fazer Group had net sales of 1,200 million euros.
Northern Magic. Made Real.
