Galette des Rois

During the month of January, a special cake can be found in the bakery. It is the galette des rois (King's cake). This puff pastry usually has frangipane filling in it. In each cake, there is a little figurine hidden in it. The person who gets this figurine will be the king of the day. He will have to wear a paper crown for the entire day.

This cake is to celebrate Epiphany when the three wise men paid homage to baby Jesus. In the old days, a bean was used instead of a figurine.

Well, for the whole month of January, we would be eating the galette des rois for dessert. It is like eating moon cake during the 8th month of the Lunar Calendar. When dining with friends, we would have galette des rois. In office, usually a galette des rois party will be organised.

I had mine with my company last week. Each part of the galette had to be randomly distributed. Being the newest in the company, I was asked to name who should get the galette without looking. I had to make sure that everyone was named. We had 5 galettes and ended up with 3 kings and 2 queens. If you do come to France in January, do try one from the bakery. Some bakeries make galette for one person. You will be sure to be the king of the day.