3 Fun Facts about Mardi Gras KingCakes

Feb 3
08:29

2010

Adele Tiblier

Adele Tiblier

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Get the fun facts about Mardi Gras Kingcakes. Kingcake, or King’s Cake is one of the most unique and cultural food items imaginable. From its deep history, to distinctive appearance, there is no mistaking a New Orleans King Cake.

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Start the excitement for this carnival season! Find out 3 fun facts about the sweet treat we all love during Mardi Gras,3 Fun Facts about Mardi Gras KingCakes Articles King Cakes or “King’s Cake.” There are many names for it such as Mardi Gras Cake, Braided Cake, or Three Kings Cake… all describing the scrumptious purple, green, and gold delicacy of New Orleans. Curious about its deep history, dating back centuries, how its made, or even more about the “baby” inside?

Fun Fact #1 – The deep history of KingCakes. The kingcake has been a distinct symbol of New Orleans culture for centuries. There have been many different style king cakes throughout history, but most originate back to Epiphany (The Twelfth day after Christmas), and the biblical kings bringing gifts to honor the Child Jesus in Bethlehem. The kingcake has taken its tour throughout the world, displaying traditions from each culture. King Cakes in Southern Louisiana date back to the eighteenth century when the famous King’s Cake was brought to the area by colonist from France and Spain. This delicious treat is eaten from January 6, the beginning of the Carnival season until Mardi Gras Day or “Fat Tuesday” the last day of the Carnival Season. It always falls on the day before Ash Wednesday (The first day of Lent).

Fun Fact #2 – The dough is actually braided! The most traditional kingcakes are made of twisted or braided bread. The dough is actually braided or twisted before it is baked, creating a beautiful, unique cake. This bread dough is very similar to brioche. The kingcakes are then topped with sugary icing and decorated purple, green, and gold sugar, icing, and sprinkles. The purple, green, and gold are traditional carnival colors. Purple meaning Justice, Green for Faith, and Gold standing for Power; these colors were chosen by the Grand Duke Alexis Alexandrovitch Romanoff of Russia during a visit to New Orleans in 1872.

Fun Fact #3 – The exciting surprise you find inside. Besides the scrumptious filing of Bavarian Cream, Apple, or Strawberry inside your kingcake, you will also find a small trinket. Throughout history, each cake was said to have a small trinket, or “baby” hidden inside. A tradition from the Roman Empire placed a little bean inside; in 1870 this bean was replaced by a porcelain figurine and more recently a plastic “baby.” It was customarily said this bean, or figuring was to represent Baby Jesus. And tradition declares whoever “gets the baby” or finds the figurine in their piece of kingcake has the obligation to bring the next cake, or host the next carnival celebration.

So go grab a kingcake and start celebrating this carnival season. Share with your family and friends at the next get together, students in class on Fridays, or even co-workers. Sending kingcakes as corporate gifts transforms time consuming marketing hours into a hassle free, quick way to connect with your customers, clients and colleagues.