but why do we put beans in king cakes?

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The traditional tasting of the galette des rois is back at the start of the year. And before placing the crown on the head of the lucky one, do you know why bakers and pastry chefs in France slip beans in the frangipane?

For Monday January 6, 2025, day of Epiphanylet’s return to the history of this religious festival.

1311, first bean

We must go back to the time of the Romans to see the appearance of the galette des rois, indicates Nadine Cretin, historian of festivals specializing in religious anthropology, for an old article inactu.fr.

At the time, they celebrated the winter solstice during the Saturnalia. A festival which consists of highlighting the god Saturn and the gradual return of the sun. “We played knucklebones or dice to elect this king for a day. »

The first date of a cake with a bean inside dates back to 1311 in France. Like today, there was a sharing of shares and above all, a “king”.

Why did we put a bean in it at the time? No established evidence, emphasizes Nadine Cretin.

Perhaps the idea was to join Roman traditions by electing a temporary king. The random sharing of shares and the hidden position of the bean allowed and still allows everyone to have a chance.

A symbol of fertility

Previously, we hid a bean, the legumeand not a porcelain object. According to the historian, this choice is not trivial:

The bean has always represented fertility. Like the egg, it carries its embryo within it, and it is the first edible seed to grow in spring.

A porcelain bean against the cheapskates

The choice to integrate a bean is ultimately quite funny. At Middle Agesthe custom linked to the galette des rois is growing in French society. And very quickly, like an oral tradition, whoever gets the bean must pay for his tour to others.

“Rumor has it that certain one-day kings who were a bit miserly decided to swallow the bean to go unnoticed,” analyzes Nadine Cretin. This is how the idea of ​​the porcelain bean would have gained ground.

Originally, these beans were made of porcelain from Saxony, Germany, and represented lucky signs, such as horseshoes, a moon, or a little bather. Now, beans represent animals, comic book characters, advertising logos, even gold or gifts.

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