King Cake in Spanish-speaking Countries
The roscón de reyes in Spain or rosca de reyes in Spanish America is traditionally eaten on January 6, during the celebration of the Día de Reyes (literally "Kings' Day"). In most of Spain, Mexico and sometimes Hispanic communities in the United States, this is the day when children get presents from the Three Wise Men (not Santa Claus). In Mexico children leave a shoe outside, filled with hay or dried grass for the animals the Kings ride, along with a note, before they go to bed. The Mexican rosca de reyes has an oval shape to symbolize a crown. For decoration, Spanish people use dried and candied fruits like figs, quinces or cherries. The fruit symbolizes the many jewels that a crown would have.
The tradition of placing a bean, candy or figurine doll of the Christ Child inside the cake is followed. Whoever finds it must take it to the nearest church on February 2, Candlemas Day (Día de la Candelaria), which celebrates the presentation of Jesus in the Temple. According to the Jewish tradition, an infant was to be presented to God in the Temple forty days after his birth. The use of candles on Candlemas represents the light of Christ presented to the world. Nowadays in Mexico, people who find the figurines in their piece of the cake usually agree to host a party on February 2 and to provide the guests with tamales and atole.
In Argentina, the tradition of consuming rosca on January 6 is also followed, although no figurine is included. In addition, a similar version with whole cooked eggs on top of the cake is also served on Easter as rosca de Pascua.
In some places, the rosca de reyes is replaced by panettone.
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“I’m good enough,” the King said, “only I’m not strong enough. You see, a minute goes by so fearfully quick. You might as well try to stop a Bandersnatch!””
—Lewis Carroll [Charles Lutwidge Dodgson] (1832–1898)
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