The Tradition of the King Cake

Which child hasn’t dreamed of being a king or queen for a day? This wish can come true on January 6th, the Day of the Three Kings, at least for one day. But what is the story behind this custom, and why do we eat a King Cake on this occasion?

The Story of the Three Kings

In the Christian religion, three kings, also known as the Wise Men from the East, followed the bright star of Bethlehem, which led them to Jesus. Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar have travelled all over the country to pay their respects to the newborn King Jesus. On January 6th, they found Jesus in a stable in Bethlehem and presented him with gifts of gold, incense, and myrrh.

The Bean King in Ancient Rome

The custom of celebrating Epiphany with a King Cake has its roots in the Roman Empire. During a festival honoring Saturn, the god of agriculture, a special cake containing a hidden bean was served. The person who discovered the bean became the "Bean King" for the day. This tradition eventually spread to other cultures and blended seamlessly with the Christian celebration of Epiphany.

The King Cake

In Switzerland, the King Cake as we know it today – a sweet bread made from yeast dough -has been a staple of the Epiphany feast since the 1950s. Historian Max Währen played a key role in reviving the nearly forgotten "Bean King" tradition, which has since grown in popularity among both young and old.

The cake goes by different names in various languages:

•   English: King Cake or King's Cake
•   French: Galette des Rois
•   Spanish: Roscón de Reyes
•   Portuguese: Bolo Rei

Variations in Recipes

The recipes vary greatly from region to region, but what all Epiphany cakes have in common is that a dried bean, an almond, a coin or another small object, nowadays often a small figure in the shape of a king or a baby, is baked into them. Whoever finds this lucky charm in their slice is crowned king or queen for the day.
In Switzerland, the King Cake is traditionally made from sweet yeast dough, shaped into balls arranged like a flower, and topped with slivered almonds and coarse sugar. Most people opt to buy their cakes from supermarkets or bakeries, where they come with a golden paper crown and a plastic figurine baked inside. However, for those eager to test their baking skills, Fooby offers a recipe to try the traditional Swiss King Cake at home.

Swiss Tradition: Star Singing

On January 6th, another custom comes alive in Switzerland: Star Singing. Children dressed as the Three King go from house to house singing "The Star of Bethlehem" and blessing the home with "C+M+B" written on the door. This stands for Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar, but also for "Christus Mansionem Benedicat," meaning "Christ bless this house."