Today (January 6th) is Epiphany which is celebrated by many Christians. Epiphany celebrates the visitation of the Biblical Magi to the Baby Jesus. Eastern Christians commemorate the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River, seen as his manifestation to the world as the Son of God. Epiphany is also known as Theophany especially by Eastern Christians.
Epiphany is traditionally celebrated with a church service the eve of Epiphany and a feast on the actual day. In some countries, a “king’s cake” is a part of the celebration.
The cake’s name, style and the customs vary by country.
As well as the cake being celebrated with the festival of Epiphany it is also celebrated during Mardi Gras and Carnival.
The cake custom is popular in France, Belgium, Switzerland (where the cake is called gallette des rois), Portugal (Bolo Rei), Spain (Roscón de Reyes or tortell in Catalonia), Greece and Cyprus (vasilopita), Bulgaria (banitsa), Mexico (Rosca de Reyes) and New Orleans in the United States (Le gâteau des Rois).
The cake itself could be made from a simple ring of twisted bread topped with coloured icing to a version made of puff pastry stuffed with frangipane (almond paste). Whatever form taken, there is a trinket hidden inside the cake. The trinket iself may also vary from a bean to a piece of plastic in the form of a king. The reward for whoever finds the trinket in their slice of cake can mean they get to be King or Queen for a day (in some cases denoted with a paper crown) and/or must buy the cake next day, week or year.
Cake Traditions By Country
USA
In New Orleans, USA, the cake (Le gâteau des Rois) is consumed during Carnival. In Catholic tradition the Biblical kings journey to Bethlehem is said to have taken twelve days and that they arrived to honour the Christ child on Epiphany. The cake consumption in New Orleans therefore extends from the end of the twelve days through to Mardi Gras.
The actual style of Le gâteau des Rois consumed in New Orleans can vary. The traditional cake is a simple iced ring of twisted bread. The icing is typically purple, green and gold to reflect carnival colours. Variations include a cake filling such as a cream cheese or praline.
The tradition of Le gâteau des Rois was brought to New Orleans by French and Spanish colonists with the tradition in New Orleans dating back to the Eighteenth century.
In New Orleans, whoever finds the trinket in their slice of the cake must buy the next gâteau des Rois.
France
In France the name of the cake varies from North to South to reflect a difference in the bread/cake used. In the south the cake is called Gâteau des Rois and in the north, Gallette des Rois. The Galette des Rois is made with puff pastry and frangipane, while the gâteau des Rois is made with brioche and candied fruits. The cakes can be found in bakeries everywhere during the month of January.
Traditionally the trinket was a small bean called “la fève” (literally translated as the bean) which is a custom taken from the Saturnalia during the Roman Empire. The person who found the trinket was called the king of the feast. The trinket has become a plastic figurine in contemporary tradition. In France, the trinket has become so popular that some bakeries sell them separately and in a variety of collectable forms from famous art to cartoon characters. The cakes are sold with a paper crown which is worn by the person who finds the trinket in their slice.
Unlike some other countries where the head of the household is responsible for cutting and distributing the cake, in France it is traditionally the youngest person who designates the slices. The youngest person from under the table, calls out the name of the person for each piece of cake, this ensures random distribution and equal chance to be king.
Previously the cake would be divided into as many shares as guests plus one. The extra piece was said to be “god’s share” and was intended to be given to the first poor person to arrive at the home.
Due to etiquette roles the French President is not allowed to “draw the kings” on Epiphany. As a result, a traditional galette without the trinket and crown is served at Elysée Palace.
While rooted in the Christian religion, the custom of sharing a king’s cake or gallette des rois is a popular among Christians and non Christians alike.
Mexico (mainly based on Spanish traditions)
The cake, La Rosca de Reyes, in Mexico is eaten on January 6th in celebration of Día de Reyes (wise men day). Rather than receiving gifts from Santa, children receive presents from the Three Wise Men on Día de Reyes. The custom dictates that before going to bed children leave a note and a shoe filled with hay or dried grass outside the home. The grass is for the animals that the kings ride.
The Rosca de Reyes is oval shaped and is topped with dried and candied fruit such as figs, quinces and cherries. In addition to eating the cake, most Mexican families celebrate with a party that includes tamales and atole.
In Mexico, the trinket (Niño Dios) inside the cake is traditionally a Christ Child figurine but may also be a bean, candy or doll in the contemporary tradition. Whomever finds the trinket must take it and their family to the closest church on February 2nd (Día de la Candelaria) to celebrate the presentation of Jesus. Another tradition dictates that the person who finds the trinket is responsible for making the tamales for the Candlemas feast.
Have a slice of gallette des rois for me please!
