A cake fit for a King or Queen

 

It is that time of the year when we start thinking about making or ordering a galette des rois.

This article in Figaro is making me think that it maybe easier to buy one rather than make one this time around.

For those of you who do not know what a "galette des roi" is, it is an ancient tradition that refers to Epiphany,a catholic tradition that dates back to the 4th century. 

Every catholic church celebrates Epiphany on Jan 6. 

Before Christianity, this celebration was for the apparition of the Greek God Dyonisos who was attached to seasons, he died during the decline of vegetation and would resuscitate with the light. 

Basically, I think it’s called Twelfth Night in English referring to 12 days after Christmas.

The word  Epiphany derives from Greek that means “event” and refers to the birth of Jesus and  refers to to acceptance by the Magi (The Three Wise Men) of Jesus being the Messiah. 

Galettes des Rois became very  popular in the 14th  century,  its round shape referred to the cult of the sun of the Saturnales, a pagan celebration. 

Galette des Rois is split into equal parts, you have as many parts as there are guests, with an extra slice for anyone who would drop by. Inside the galette, a “fève”  is hidden, and the one who gets it, is the King and gets to wear the crown. 

This ritual goes back to Roman times when during a feast, one king was randomly picked by hiding a black or white coin in the food. The one finding it, would become king.  

The one who finds the "feve" in his slice, gets celebrated king. All bakeries in France sell Galettes des Rois with a paper golden crown during this time of the year, so that the celebrated King can wear it. Then the king gets to pick his queen. 

Nowadays, its religious meaning has been a little lost, and everyone enjoys a good Galette despite their religion. 

It is best served warm and the filling has a lovely custard-like texture and the pastry is fine.

Decisions, decisions - make or buy? For those of you who want to make one, I will be sharing the recipe I use tomorrow.

Belle journée a tous ♥

Leeann x