The Paris Traveler

Fetes des Rois

by Kim on December 30th, 2007

I know that we still have New Year’s to get through, but I thought I would let you in on the next celebration that the French enjoy every year.  Actually, the French need no specific reason to celebrate other than it is a new day but this particular event has a much loved ritual attached to it.  The 6th of January marks the “day of the kings”, commemorating the Kings who arrived to pay hommage to the Infant Jesus.  A special pastry called a galette des rois or King’s cake is part of the celebration. The cake has a “feve” which literally translates to “bean” baked into it. Over the years, this “bean” has become a plastic or porcelain figurine that families collect.  The individual who finds the figurine in their piece of cake gets to be king for the day and wear a golden crown also included.  The cake itself can be either a “Pithivier” cake made of puff pastry stuffed with frangipane (almond cream) and is usually eaten north of the Loire River.  The “brioche” cake is made in the shape of a crown and covered with red and green candied fruits that represent jewels. This type is more prevelent south of the Loire.  If you don’t happen to be in France and can’t walk down the street to your favorite patisserie, I have found a website that might be able to get a cake delivered in time for your own fetes des rois.      http://www.croissantsdefrance.com/ephiphanycake.html 

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