The traditional Epiphany is the opportunity in Cantal to taste the wheel of kings, a piece of 50kg of cheese per person, responsible for obesity according to some doctors.
In Cantal, we don't celebrate Epiphany with pancakes or brioche. In the mountains, the wise men are announced with the individual tasting of a volume of Cantal whose heart contains a bean. You have to eat the entire cheese of around 50kg to ensure you obtain the precious crown, sometimes called “Kings of the Bon vivants”. But many doctors are warning about this practice and believe that it remains harmful to the population. Indeed, this practice is associated with an explosion of obesity in the department.
Cholesterol multiplied by 2500
The wheel of kings is customarily eaten at the end of a meal including truffade, aligot, several glasses of wine and gentian, and a large quantity of cold meats. Thus, this “dessert” tends to raise cholesterol, up to 2500 times above normal. “It’s mind-blowing and irresponsible,” says Dr. Ture. “Cantal residents are ruining their health, we must stop this barbaric practice.” But will the health issues be greater than those of tradition? Nothing is less certain? Especially since in the coming weeks, the Cantalous will begin the bugnes de tome de Cantal for Mardi Gras after the pancakes for Candlemas…
