Your Friday French Fundamentals: La Galette des Rois

ga·let·te des rois [galɛt de rwa]

The mix-up: A literal translation might make one imagine a grandiose wedding-style cake worthy of royalty.

Actual meaning: It is a simple cake made of a flaky puff pastry filled with buttery almond cream. It gets its name from the holiday on which it is served – le Jour des Rois, or Epiphany. “Tirer les rois” is the highlight of the event. A “fève” (small porcelain figure) is hidden inside each cake; the person who finds the “fève” is crowned king or queen for the day and is expected to buy the next cake.

Food for thought: On le Jour des Rois, the French President receives a galette des rois, sans “fève“.

 
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