For many, Epiphany is the day on which we eat the inevitable, tasty galette des rois! But do you know exactly why, and what history lies behind this January 6th date?
As you may have guessed, Epiphany has a religious origin.Epiphany, which comes from the Greek " epiphaneia " (" appearance " or " advent ") celebrates the arrival of the famous Three Wise Men (Melchior, Balthazar and Gaspard) to the Infant Jesus. Introduced in the West by the Church around the 4th century, this Christian festival was intended to honor the spiritual values of the Three Wise Men, who are said to have offered gifts to Jesus at his birth.
So why do we eat a galette des rois on January 6, the day of the Epiphany? This tradition has no religious origins, but turns out to be totally pagan. During the ancient Roman festival of Saturnalia, roles were reversed between masters and slaves. And to designate the " Prince of Saturnalia ", the Romans used a cake into which a bean was inserted. Over time, this tradition evolved to coincide with the feast of Epiphany.
Today's galette des rois varies from region to region. In the south of France, for example, people tend to eat a crown garnished with candied fruit rather than a traditional frangipane galette.
So, are you ready to treat yourself this January?
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