186,521 views
The tradition of Epiphany was first a celebration of pagan origin. The Romans celebrated Saturnalia during the winter solstice period. It was in the 14th century that this custom became Catholic and the king cake was born. Finally, it was in the 18th century that the date of Epiphany was definitively fixed on January 6. The tradition of the king cake is a moment of sharing, filled with childhood memories, that each family perpetuates every year. But this gourmet habit nevertheless finds singularities across the different regions of France. Thus, in the North of the country, it is the king cake that is honored. It delights young and old with its puff pastry and frangipane. In the South, it is the crown of kings that adorns the tables: a brioche topped with candied fruit and flavored with orange blossom… and the regional or family variations are more numerous than the others. But what would a king cake be without a bean inside? Originally, a real bean was placed in the dough. But over the years, it was replaced by a piece of porcelain. Today, enthusiasts even collect them, they are called fabophiles. Traditionally, it is the youngest at the table who goes under the table to designate the one who will receive a piece of cake.