MARDI GRAS – KING CAKE

Mardi Gras down south

Celebrating love of life

Walking on the beach

Down here Mardi Gras is HUGE.

Yesterday I went to the local library’s January Speaker Series. “Mardi Gras in the South”, by the King & Queen and members from Krew Du Cirque!

I’ve talked about Mardi Gras before, I posts from other years.

A wee bit of Mardi Gras background.

• Mardi Gras is a centuries-old tradition that dates back to the Middle Ages. It was initially celebrated by European Christians as a way to mark the beginning of Lent and to prepare for the fasting period of Easter.
• Now largely a secular festival, Mardi Gras runs between the Feast of Epiphany, January 6, and Ash Wednesday culminating in the revelry of Mardi Gras. The French name Mardi Gras means Fat Tuesday, from the custom of using all the fats in the home before Lent in preparation for fasting and abstinence. In Catholic countries, Mardi Gras offered an opportunity for households to consume some foods they would not enjoy until Easter.

In future posts I’ll discuss more about Mardi Gras including what the speakers told us regarding Krewes, balls, parades etc.

But today it’s King Cakes.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_cake

What Is A King Cake?

It’s a frosted seasonal treat that Mardi Gras partygoers eat between January 6, otherwise known as King’s Day or Twelfth Night, and Fat Tuesday. Typically, a King Cake is made of a rich, brioche dough and a wide array of fillings, such as cinnamon, chocolate, and cream cheese. But the rainbow magic is found in the glaze and sprinkles, which are usually gold, green, and purple. Even the colors of the icing (and royal colors of Mardi Gras) have a deeper meaning. Gold represents power, green is associated with faith, and purple illustrates justice. A King Cake is baked without a center, like your average Bundt cake, except buried inside the batter is a tiny, plastic baby figurine.

Why Is There A Baby Inside King Cake?

Some believe the plastic baby is symbolic of Baby Jesus because of the religious connection to King’s Day. Others believe the popular New Orleans lore, which suggests that an elaborate cake was served with a bean or ring placed inside during the commemoration of the king’s ball in colonial Louisiana. Whoever found the bean or trinket in his or her slice of cake would be crowned the king or queen of the balls leading up to the lavish finale on Mardi Gras.

Rather than a bean or expensive ring, the plastic effigy is mostly used today as an emblem of good luck. The lucky individual who scores the piece of king cake with the baby inside is said to gain favor, but they’re also tasked with hosting duties and bringing their own king cake for next year’s revelry.

Why Is It Called A King Cake?

The name is derived from the Three Wise Men in the Bible, who came bearing gifts for Baby Jesus.

In our area the top-selling King Cake flavours (according to Rouses Markets) include a list of 10 all-time favourites like strawberry cream cheese, Bavarian cream, praline and apple as well as flavors including caramel, chocolate, cherry, blueberry, cookies and cream, and coconut.

Now you may find this difficult to believe with this being our fourth winter here but yesterday was my first time tasting a King Cake.

Here’s why.

Having looked at King Cakes for years in the local stores I had no desire at all to try them. Their look did not appeal to me, all that coloured sugar. No thanks.

But at the presentation they offered us samples of these King Cakes. And it would have been rude of me to refuse. Right? I mean wouldn’t you have tried one? Or two?

I could have tried both but I was good. I only chose one.

I had the Cheesecake. Which would you have chosen?

I was pleasantly surprised. Not having previously researched them I expected it to be a typical cake, and I’m not fond of cake. This exceeded my expectations. I liked it. But a bit later it didn’t like me. Heartburn. Maybe all that sugar.

If you ever get the chance – try it. Glad I finally did.

Who Got the Baby in the King Cake? – Johnette Downing

Take care and stay healthy.

As always, thanks for your interest and thank you for reading.

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