What is the history of the galette des rois?
The cake sharing and charm tradition began in the 13th century during the feast of Epiphany. Since then, the cake was shared with all the guests, a piece called ”share of the poor” was added. It was intended for the first poor person to show up.
What does the galette des rois symbolize?
The “Galette des Rois” is a cake traditionally shared at Epiphany, on 6 January. It celebrates the arrival of the Three Wise Men in Bethlehem. It is composed of a puff pastry cake, with a small charm hidden inside. The cake is generally filled with frangipane.
What is found inside the galette de Rois for the 3 Kings?
A bean, or “fève” is hidden in the cake and the person whose portion contains the bean is crowned king or queen for the festivities.
When was the galette invented?
Many were created in the nineteenth century – a golden age of French patisserie when classics such as the modern-day éclair and croissant first appeared – but others are much older, dating back a thousand years.
When was galette des rois created?
Galette des Rois is believed to have originated sometime in the Middle Ages in the 13th or 14th century. In France, it was “customary to bake [this] cake” which was initially known as Gateau des Rois (Cruz 1). Given the celebratory nature of this food, a slice was often saved for any passing guests or the poor.
Why is the galette eaten on January 6th?
It’s January 6th, the feast of Epiphany, celebrating the arrival in Bethlehem of the Three Kings to the visit to the baby Jesus. The Kings give their name to the pastry treat that is widely eaten in France to celebrate this day – la Galette des Rois or King Cake.
Why is the king cake a tradition?
King cake is eaten on January 6 in honor of Epiphany, or Twelfth Night, which historically marks the arrival of the three wise men/kings in Bethlehem who delivered gifts to the baby Jesus. (The plastic baby hidden inside king cakes today is a nod to this story.)
How does the tradition of the King’s cake work?
A miniature plastic baby, which symbolizes baby Jesus, is placed inside of each cake to signify the Epiphany. The person who gets the slice that contains the baby is known as the king. They are charged with the responsibility of bringing a king cake to the next event.
Where does the term galette come from?
The word ‘galette’ comes from the Norman word ‘gale’, meaning flat cake, and is often used in French cuisine to talk about cakes that don’t require a tin, although it can also refer to round, flat cakes and the cheesy Breton galettes described below.
When did France eat galette des rois?
The French have been serving up galette des rois since the 14th-century. Traditionally, it’s served on January 6th – the 12th day of Christmas – to celebrate the Epiphany, a religious feast day commemorating the arrival of the Three Kings to the manger where Jesus was born.
What does king cake symbolize?
King Cakes are oval-shaped to symbolize the unity of faiths. Each cake is decorated in the traditional Mardi Gras colors – purple representing justice, green representing faith, and gold representing power. A small baby, symbolizing the baby Jesus, is traditionally hidden inside each King Cake.
What does the king cake baby represent?
When a king cake is served at a Mardi Gras celebration, everyone wants to know who was served the slice with the baby—but what does it mean if you find one? Tradition dictates that finding the baby in your cake symbolizes luck and prosperity, and the finder becomes the ‘king’ or ‘queen’ of the evening.