For Christians, the epiphany symbolizes the presentation of the baby Jesus to the Three Kings, but for the greedy, it is above all the opportunity to enjoy a delicious cake of kings ...
The tradition of the galette des rois
This culinary tradition has crossed borders and from one end of the planet to the other, kings are celebrated according to very specific customs.
Like every year, the epiphany is celebrated on January 6th by the Catholics. This festival, also called "Theophany" by the Orthodox, is in the spotlight throughout the first month of the year around a place loved by all: the galette des rois.
The galette des rois throughout the world
If in France, the pancake frangipane is certainly the most popular of all, over the years it is increasingly competing with new fragrances from around the world ....
In Spain, Portugal and most Latin American countries, the 6th of January is a date much awaited by the population because it is a public holiday. Called " El Día de los Reyes", it is also an opportunity for children to receive gifts since according to legend, the Three Wise Men themselves would deposit gifts in the shoes during the night ...!
In California and Mexico, it is the morning of January 6 that children discover the gifts brought by the Three Kings. In order to pay tribute to them, this day you can enjoy a "rosca de reyes", the equivalent of our galette des rois in France. It is a brioche fougasse decorated with candied fruit in the shape of a crown, in which a bean is hidden. Whoever finds it in his part is in charge of organizing a party on the 2nd of February following and will have to serve tamales (sweet or salty papillotes based on corn flour or banana leaves).
In the south of Italy, it is said that during the night of the Epiphany a benefactor fairy named Befana distributes presents to all wise children. It reserves however a punishment for the rascals by bringing ... a piece of coal!
In India, the epiphany is an opportunity to pay tribute to Our Lady of the Mount who, according to legend, would make sterile women fertile. As a sign of gratitude, Christians and Hindus cover her with jewels, while in Goa, a former Portuguese colony in the south of the country , children dressed as Three Kings parade to pay tribute to Balthazar, Melchior and Gaspard .
For the Russians, the epiphany commemorates the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist in the Jordan. Also known as "Water Baptism Day", it is celebrated on January 19th. During the night before, the faithful dive into ponds or lakes of icy water while the priests bless the baptismal waters.
In French Guiana, the epiphany sounds the beginning of the carnival of Cayenne, one of the longest festivals in the world since it ends on Wednesday ashes (first day of Lent for Christians). It is an event much awaited by the inhabitants who organize for the occasion "galette nights" for the duration of the event.
In Mauritius, the Epiphany is celebrated in France as the 2nd Sunday of January. But next to the traditional pancake with frangipane and crown brioche, there are patties filled with guava, apple or pear and chocolate. The brioche contains various candied fruits to excite the taste buds.
