Unfortunately, the Christmas holidays are over and the day after New Year’s Eve was too short to have a proper rest. Yet, this is a small reminder that something sweet is awaiting you this Friday: a delectable king cake to celebrate Epiphany!
The Christian feast celebrates the day three old Wise Men (Melchior, Caspar and Balthasar) followed the star of Bethlehem to find baby Jesus. Once arrived, the three kings gave gold, frankincense and myrrh to Jesus, king of the Jews, according to the Gospel of Matthew. This feast is also called Epiphany, which originates from Greek epiphaneia, meaning “appearance” or “manifestation”, relating to the manifestation of Jesus Christ to the world on that day. Among Easter and Christmas, Three Kings’ Day is one of the three main oldest celebrations of the Christian Church.
In Luxembourg, people used to commemorate epiphany on the eve of 6th January. Each family would eat the kings’ cake and eventually, someone would find a fève, a bean in French. The black bean appointed the king whereas the white bean designated the queen of the family. Both family members were then obliged to entertain the rest of the family. Nowadays, a single porcelain figurine is found in the filling, so do watch out when biting into your slice!
But where you can find the perfect “Galette des Rois”?
- Oberweis will offer customers who find the golden beans labelled 1, 2 or 3, a voucher for a sublime pièce-montée to be used on the event of their choice for this year. The remaining seven golden beans numbered from 4 to 10 will be awarded a lovely gift basket, filled with a selection of Oberweis delicacies. All winning prizes can be picked up in their Cloche d’Or shop.
- Kaempff Kohler also has a special surprise for its clients as ten exceptional pocket watches can be found by buying their homemade king cakes!
- Hôtel Le Place d’Armes presents the King Cake of the Pastry Chef of the Year 2022, Adeline Campestre, a real treat!
- Fischer proposes the traditional galettes des rois, filled with apples or frangipane, as well as a chocolate version. In addition, the company has created unique figurines hidden inside their galettes. Indeed, in collaboration with Lisa Junius, a multi-disciplinary artist who mixes female figures in a phantasmagorical universe with shades of blue, the galettes will include a special crown and a series of 5 figurines.
- Namur also has a fine selection of these sweet almond-filled delights, available online and in their various shops.
- Patisserie Hoffmann offers a nice range of king cakes, either filled with apple or frangipane and a special version called ‘Hoffnella’, with hazelnuts and frangipane.
- PAUL’s “kings’ cakes”Galette des Rois” can be ordered online and picked-up in one of their bakeries or can also be delivered within 48h. Two versions are available: frangipane and apple filling.
- Hostellerie du Grünewald will have their own pastry chefs creating the fine “Galette des Rois” for 4 people for 24,00€. Orders can be made by mail (info@hdg.lu) and collected on the 6th of January between 3pm and 6pm at the reception.
- Cocottes offers the traditional frangipane galette as well as one with apples and salted butter caramel. Hurry if you want to taste it until Friday!
- Maison Steffen has prepared a meaty version of the cake with pork and veal stuffing. For this occasion, there will be a chance to win a gold bar worth 300€!
Of course you can also visit your favorite supermarkets like Cactus, Delhaize, Picard, Grand Frais, Aldi, Lidl, Auchan or Colruyt.
If you have time on your hands this week, have a look at our delectable recipes for Epiphany!