The king cake, also called “galette des rois”, is a tradition of the that goes back several centuries. Tradition linked to Epiphany, which celebrates the visit of the three wise men to the baby Jesus. But in Provence, the king cake is an art… A cake that makes the table happinesss of Provence all the month of January.
What is the Provence king cake?
En Provence, point of galette des rois, it's a cake of kings that we share the 6 janvier to celebrate epiphany or the arrival of Magi in front of the newborn Jesus. The king cake typically Provencal is a orange blossom brioche, covered with sugar, decorated with candied fruit. The brioche is round with a hole in the middle.
How does the tradition take place?
To properly respect this traditional In Provence, you must first install the crèche early December. This one has its ravi, Angel Boufareu, Mistral her cape in the wind, the Pagnol's card game and of course Mary, Joseph, the donkey and the ox. Christian or not, in Provence we make the nativity scene. But be careful, we don't will not file the little Jesus before the evening of the 24th. The most beautiful santons, Melchior, Gaspard and Balthazar, to Magi who came from Bethlehem following the star, must also wait patiently for their turn. Hidden behind a vase, they go gradually move forward through the lamp trinket room to the manger. They will stand before the newborn 6 janvier, arms loaded withor,incense and myrrh.
And the bean in all this?
You thought you knew everything, but no epiphany is complete without the highlight of the show, the bean ! And we Provencals, we are generous. So because we love the tradition, on and place the bean, the real one, the food, the vegetable. And because it's prettier, we also put a ceramic figurine which – local color obliges – is a santon. The one who pull the bean and the roi, subject is for the queen.
And so that this drawing of kings lasts longer, The one who has the bean pays for the next cake. Clever…
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