Traditional French Kings Cake – French said what this symbolizes

In Western Europe, the Three Kings is a special day. Thierry Lauvray, a pastry expert at the Iki retail chain, says the holiday is still popular in France and has its own traditions and dessert, which is a must.

Gifts for children and a royal game.

“This day is a Christian tradition to honor the arrival of the three kings. To visit the baby Jesus they came with gifts and in many countries on this day children are also rewarded. And in France, the Day of the Magi is usually celebrated preparing a special dessert. It’s called La Galette des Rois, in Lithuanian it would be the Cake of the Kings “, says T. Lauvray.

According to the pastry expert “By”, this dessert is also special because it traditionally hides a small bean. Later, the tradition of placing porcelain or clay figurines representing the symbolic participants of the prakartė also appeared on the cake. It is true that merchants now offer other, diverse, even golden figures for this occasion.

To avoid cheating, the youngest of the family chooses which piece will go to whom. And a man who finds a hidden surprise in his piece of cake gets a crown and becomes the ruler of the day. That day you don’t need to do any preparation or any other work at home. It is true that traditionally a piece of cake is left at home to ask poor or unexpected guests for help.

Traditions of the Three Kings Day in Lithuania

At the beginning of the last century, the Feast of the Magi was also reminiscent of a real masquerade of masks in Lithuania, when people dressed as kings, donned their own and decorated paper crowns, donned white cloaks and greeted their neighbors or inhabitants with the new year. Many have probably seen the letters K + M + B engraved in chalk on the door of an apartment or house, which signified the names of three kings: Kaspar, Merkel and Balthazar. According to legends, by carving these letters on the door, they created a special protection for the house from evil spirits. It is true that these traditions are somewhat forgotten at this time, and many of the Days of the Magi are not particularly mentioned at all.

However, T. Lauvray suggests not forgetting to celebrate, and if it is interesting, at least touch the French traditions of the holiday with your finger and bake the traditional French Kings cake. According to the pastry chef, King’s Cake has many recipes, but the most traditional is a round puff pastry that symbolizes the sun returning in its shape.