Tuesday, January 6, 2009

King for a Day - Get your Dreikönigskuchen!

Today, the 6th of January, is Dreikönigstag or the Day of the Three Wise Men or Three Kings. It is a public holiday in Germany and Austria, but not in Switzerland. Ho hum.

But.. ! The holiday is still celebrated in a unique and original way here in der Schweiz - as well as across the region, by the sharing and eating of a Dreikönigskuchen (link in German). Literally, this three kings cake is a traditional sweet bread roll, baked to celebrate the Ephiphany, usually with toasted almonds and raisins and a special surprise baked in.

Small coins or a little king are baked into the bread and whomever finds this lucky gem is then crowned King for the Day! Or Queen... or Princess if you translated the email that announced our Dreikönigskuchen at work.

And these little buns are DELICIOUS. I know, because I think I have eaten about 14 of them already and it is just 11 am. So get out there and get one for your family and start a new tradition for the 6th of January! An guete!

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

It's not actually a public holiday in all of Germany. I suspect it is only in the Catholic states--Thüringen is not a state where it is celebrated.

Jessica said...

Interesting! Thanks for the info!

Now that I think of it, you must be right, too, as I have called the German office 153 times today and they are picking up. Frankfurt must be working!!!

Amanda said...

It is also observed in Liechtenstein. My husband got the day off. Lucky guy! We will enjoy our cake this afernoon after the children I care for get up from their naps... I can't wait!

mrsmac said...

i was wondering why there was a special counter at the migros this morning! thanks for the info!

N said...

Very interesting. That's like Danish version of ris a l'amande, where an almond is hidden in rice pudding.

M'dame Jo said...

It's actually a European tradition, it's not only in Switzerland.

M'dame Jo said...

And according to wikipedia http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jours_f%C3%A9ri%C3%A9s_en_Suisse this is actually a holiday in Schwyz, Uri, and Ticino...

Toma said...

This day is public holiday in Sweden and other Scandinavian countries as well :) But i have not heard about some traditional cake or something :(

 

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