The Mardi Gras or Carnival season officially begins on January 6th or the "Twelfth Night" or also known to Christians as the "Epiphany" from a Greek word that means to show." Bethlehem is where Infant Jesus first showed Himself to the world. As a symbol of this Holy Day, a tiny plastic baby is placed inside of each King Cake. The King Cake tradition is thought to have been brought to New Orleans from France in 1870.
The King Cake is an oval-shaped bakery delicacy rich in flavor and history. The Cake is made with a rich Danish dough which is a cross between a coffee cake and a French pastry It is covered with a poured sugar topping and decorated with the traditional Mardi Gras-colored sugars. The end result is a delicious and festive cake decorated in traditional Rex colors: PURPLE which signifies "Justice" GREEN for "Faith" and GOLD for "Power." These colors were to resemble a jeweled crown honoring the Wise Men who visited the Christ Child on Epiphany. In the past, such things as coins, beans, pecans or peas were hidden inside each King Cake.
Today a tiny plastic baby is the common prize. At a party, the King Cake is sliced and served. Each person looks to see if their piece contains the "baby." If so, then that person is named "King"; for a day. Tradition has now evolved through time to obligate the person who receives the baby to continue the festivities by hosting another king cake party.
On Mardi Gras Day, the day before Ash Wednesday, the largest and longest parades are held. Rex, King of Carnival, is a prominent businessman, chosen by secret committee. His Queen is always a debutante of the current season. On Mardi Gras day, everyone joins in the costuming, young and old alike, resident and tourist.
Hundreds of thousands of King Cakes are consumed at parties every year, making the King Cake another fine Louisiana tradition. A Mardi Gras party just wouldn't be a Mardi Gras party without a King Cake!
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