© Ken Fitzke
With Epiphany being just around the corner, the Grand Duchy's bakeries are already back in full swing days after the holidays.
A cake traditionally filled with almonds and marzipan. What very few people realise, however, is that the cake dates back to a Roman festival.
As part of a tradition that has been around for over 25 years, various Luxembourgish bakeries handed free slices of the famed 'Dräikinnekskuch' (Three Kings' cake) to shoppers at Cloche d'Or this week. Beyond tradition, this practice is an opportunity to present the profession to the outside world.
At the same time, Epiphany also means that the bakeries don't get much rest after the holidays - which is not always easy, explains Jean-Marie Neuberg, head of Jos & Jean-Marie:
"The problem isn't producing the cakes during that week, but rather that we sometimes have a bit of stress the week before with Christmas and New Year's Eve. Epiphany sometimes comes much quicker than expected. But once you get your whole team together, it works out fine."
The Epiphany cake is becoming increasingly popular, says Luc Meyer, President of the Artisan Federation:
"It's something that preserves the value and tradition that we were taught as children and are now passing on to our children. We also get to present our craft because it is a beautiful profession in which you can be creative and also work together with other businesses. Several companies worked together today, and each one brought a different cake with a different flavour. That said, the most important thing at the end of the day is that customers are happy, have a smile on their face and can enjoy something they ate."
The day is also an opportunity to showcase and appreciate the baker's craft. Especially small businesses, of which there are fewer and fewer.
Even after the holidays, there’s still a treat for the taste buds. However, indulging in these delights may tempt many to abandon their New Year’s resolutions.
Listen to the full report in Luxembourgish:
