Why do people eat chocolate sardines during Carnival?

In Madrid, Carnival festivities are full of traditions and customs that attract locals and visitors alike. One of the most curious and peculiar is that of giving and enjoying chocolate sardines during this festive period. Learn the story of why chocolate sardines are eaten during Carnival.

What is so special about this sweet that becomes the protagonist of the celebration? To understand it, we must dive into the history of the festival of the Burial of the Sardine, an event that has left an indelible mark on Madrid’s culture and that sheds light on this unusual tradition.

The history of the Burial of the Sardine

The history of the Burial of the Sardine in Madrid is a mixture of legends and traditions that have been passed down through the centuries. One of the most popular legends dates back to the 18th century, in the time of King Carlos III. According to legend, the king decided to give a shipment of sardines to the Madrid nobility to enjoy during Lent. However, when the sardines arrived in the city, they gave off such a pungent odor that it was unbearable. The nobles, instead of consuming them, opted for an unusual solution: to bury the sardines on the banks of the Manzanares River.

This story could be the origin of the custom of burying sardines during Carnival in Madrid, as a way of saying goodbye to meat before the period of abstinence that marked Lent. However, here enters another interesting variant in the tradition: real sardines were not buried, but slices of baconknown as “sardines”. This was because sardine meat was not forbidden during Lent, so the Madrilenians opted for a substitute that was more in keeping with religious tradition.

Each region of Spain has its own version and symbolism in relation to the Burial of the Sardine. In Murcia, for example, the tradition has a different origin. In 1851, a group of students decided to hold a funeral procession in which they burned a cardboard sardine to end the Carnival festivities. Although the tradition in Murcia originated in a different way, the spirit of celebration and satire was maintained and the festival of the Burial of the Sardine is still a prominent event in the region, even though it is not celebrated on Ash Wednesday as in other parts of Spain.

The tradition behind the Burial of the Sardine in Madrid

The festival of the Burial of the Sardine is a celebration that takes place on Ash Wednesday, putting an end to the festivities of Carnival. It is a tradition that has been kept alive for centuries in the Spanish capital and combines elements of religion, satire and popular folklore.

During the Burial of the Sardine, a funeral procession takes place near the banks of the Manzanares River, in which a large cardboard sardine is carried in a coffin and burned at the end of the parade. This act symbolizes the end of the excesses and fun of Carnival and the beginning of a period of recollection and abstinence during Lent.

Chocolate sardines

So how does this tradition relate to chocolate sardines? The answer lies in the fusion of satire and creativity that characterizes the Burial of the Sardine. Over the years, Madrileños have added humorous and satirical elements to the festival. One of the most notable results of this creativity is the invention of chocolate sardines.

Chocolate sardines are, as the name suggests, replicas of sardines made of chocolate. These delicious creations have become an inseparable element of the Carnival festivities in Madrid. The tradition of giving and enjoying chocolate sardines during this time has grown to the point that it is common to find them in candy stores and pastry stores throughout the city.

However, the chocolate sardines are not just a component of the fun. They also represent the artisanal skill of Madrid’s chocolatiers, who have perfected the technique of creating these little sardine-shaped chocolate masterpieces. Each one is carefully crafted and decorated to resemble the real thing as closely as possible, and served inside a curious tin like traditional canned sardines. So, the next time you find yourself in Madrid during Carnival, don’t hesitate to enjoy a chocolate sardine and join in the fun of this unique tradition.

In Casa Mira you can find great tins of chocolate sardines made with milk chocolate. You can buy them in our store in the center of Madrid, or visit our online store and have them delivered to your home.