What is the history of the galette des rois?

The cake sharing and charm tradition began in the 13th century during the feast of Epiphany. Since then, the cake was shared with all the guests, a piece called ”share of the poor” was added. It was intended for the first poor person to show up.

Who invented galette des rois?

Galette des Rois is believed to have originated sometime in the Middle Ages in the 13th or 14th century. In France, it was “customary to bake [this] cake” which was initially known as Gateau des Rois (Cruz 1). Given the celebratory nature of this food, a slice was often saved for any passing guests or the poor.

What is the French tradition galette des rois?

The galette des rois is a cake traditionally shared at Epiphany, on 6 January. It celebrates the arrival of the Three Wise Men in Bethlehem. Composed of a puff pastry cake, with a small charm, the fève, hidden inside, it is usually filled with frangipane, a cream made from sweet almonds, butter, eggs and sugar.

When was the galette invented?

Many were created in the nineteenth century – a golden age of French patisserie when classics such as the modern-day éclair and croissant first appeared – but others are much older, dating back a thousand years.

What is the name of the trinket hidden inside the cake on 6 January?

The Galette des Rois, the King’s Cake, is a frangipane tart made with buttery puff pastry and is made throughout France to celebrate Epiphany. Traditionally, a trinket known as a ‘fève’ is hidden inside the galette des rois in much the same way as a sixpence was hidden in an English plum pudding.

Why is there a bean in galette des rois?

It is an ongoing part of a tradition dating back to Roman times that the person who finds this fève inside their piece of galette becomes ‘king for a day’. Originally, the fève was a bean, a symbol of fertility and the coming of spring.

What are galettes made of?

Galettes are made with buckwheat flour and are usually filled with savory foods such as meat, vegetables, egg, cheese, or fish. One of the most traditional galettes – the galette complète – is made with country cooked ham, a fried egg, and comté cheese – as seen in this photo (yum!).

What does galette mean?

a flat round cake
Definition of galette 1 : a flat round cake of pastry often topped with fruit. 2 : a food prepared and served in the shape of a flat round cake a galette of potatoes.

How does the tradition of the King’s cake work?

At a party, the King Cake is sliced and served. Each person looks to see if their piece contains the “baby.” If so, then that person is named “King” for a day and bound by custom to host the next party and provide the King Cake.

What is the ritual and procedure for distributing the galette de roi in France?

When kids are present, one of them (generally the youngest) goes under the table. Then the person who cut the “galette” asks the child : « Who is this piece for? ». The child calls out a name and the “galette” is distributed according to his intructions. This way there can be no cheating as he can’t see the fève.