King Cake Tradition

Mardi Gras is one of the biggest celebrations in the South. Besides being a school break, this season is filled with partygoers, parades and FUN, FUN, FUN!! Everyone loves the “traditional goodies” the season offers…especially the king cake.
According to www.Kingcake.com, the tradition originated around the 12th century in France. The people had a celebration honoring three Kings by baking the official King’s Cake.
The cake was baked on Epiphany Eve and served the following afternoon to family and friends. Today, the cake is served throughout the Epiphany season or until Mardi Gras day.
The king cake was traditionally served on January 6th, the day known also as “Little Christmas” or “Kings’ Day,” helps describe the Feast of Epiphany. Epiphany comes on the Twelfth Day of the Christmas celebration and is known as Twelfth Night.
Traditionally, the king cake is made with a rich Danish dough, baked and covered with a sugar topping and decorated with the traditional Mardi Gras-colors of purple-representing justice; green-representing faith; and gold, representing power.
“I’m from California and we do not celebrate Mardi Gras. This is a new holiday for me and I did not know there was a significant religious meaning behind the cake,” said Adrian Jackson, a freshman biology major from San Bernadino, Calif.
In Louisiana, king cake parties are held throughout the Mardi Gras season in offices, classrooms and homes.
“I did not know that the baby in the cake had a special meaning,” said Frederic Johnson, a sophomore marketing major from Houston.
The search for the baby adds to the excitement as each person awaits to see be surprised with the baby in their slice. While custom dictates that the person who finds the baby in their slice will be rewarded with good luck, that person is also traditionally responsible for bringing the king cake to the next party.
In other cultures, the king cake may contain a coin, bean, pecan, or pea. In medieval France, the coin finder was expected to make a contribution to a worthy cause.
Hundreds of thousands of king cakes are consumed at parties each year, boosting profits for local bakeries.
“We sell about 5,000 king cakes on a weekly basis during and before February. The most popular of all king cakes are the strawberry and cream cheese,” said Gambino’s Bakery representative Patricia Ray.
Grocery and retail chains such as Winn-Dixie and Wal-Mart also make it possible to enjoy the dessert, during this joyous season.