The log is not yet very far away and everyone is already starting to enjoy a slice of frangipane pancake or sugar brioche at the start of 2025. On the calendar, Epiphany is officially this 6 January, but there are many gourmets who enjoy a pancake or a fruit brioche. Where does this tradition come from? What does “break kings” mean? We tell you everything about this day.
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But gourmets don’t always shy away from certain sacrifices, nor do those who respect traditions! The 13 desserts of Christmas in Provence are perhaps still in a hollow tooth, no matter, it’s the epiphany!
This day, which is not a public holiday, is celebrated on the first Sunday in January unless it is January 1. On the calendars, the official date is January 6, so this Monday!
Epiphany is a Christian holiday which celebrates the Messiah who came and incarnated into the world and received the visit and homage of the Three Wise Men.
Originally and until the end of the 4th century, Epiphany was the great and only Christian celebration of the “manifestation of Christ in the world”.
Since the introduction of a Nativity (Christmas) celebration on December 25, Epiphany has emphasized specific meanings across faiths and cultures.
Since the 19th century e century, it is also called Three Kings Day in direct reference to the coming and worship of the Three Kings.
In many villages, the “fires of kings” are still lit, recalling those which, according to legend, burned that night in Bethlehem to hide the Star from King Herod.
The galette des rois is a typically French tradition which already existed in the 14th century. e century. The pancake was divided into as many portions as there were guests, plus one. This additional portion, called “the Good Lord’s share” or “the Virgin’s share”, was intended for the first poor person who presented himself.
The bakers of the Côte d’Azur respond to tradition every year:
To avoid making a mistake and make an informed choice, bakers and pastry chefs from the Riviera are mobilizing, a charter and a logo were set up in 2019 by the Union artisan pastry and chocolate makers from the Alpes-Maritimes.
In Spain, it is on Epiphany that children receive gifts and not at Christmas. We take advantage of this “Day of the 3 Kings” to exchange Christmas gifts since originally, it was the Three Kings who brought presents 12 nights after the birth of the child Jesus.
For this occasion, we make a crown-shaped bread, flavored with lemon and orange zest, brandy and orange blossom water, decorated with candied fruit and flaked almonds. We slip a silver coin, a Chinese figurine or a dried bean inside.
To go further after the tasting… Or before!
And if you don’t know the Italian version of the festival, discover Befana.
And last information to shine during this party, the “Pithiviers” style decor is that of the pancake when you start from the center and make arcs of a circle, regularly spaced from each other on the top of the dough. You know everything!
