After a busy Christmas and New Year, it's not yet time for confectioners to take a rest: they have been receiving an increasing number of orders for the traditional 'galette des rois,' or Epiphany cake.
"The volume of production is becoming more and more comparable with the Christmas period," says Albert Denoncin, President of the Fédération francophone de la boulangerie-pâtisserie, which represents French-speaking bakers and pastry-makers in Belgium.
For Catholics, Epiphany commemorates the visit of the Magi to the infant Jesus and is celebrated on 6 January, but in Belgium it is generally celebrated on the Sunday following 1 January.
The growing popularity of the festival is reflected in a marked increase in production. "Ten years ago, just a few dozen galettes were produced by traditional bakeries; today, some bakers produce hundreds every year," says Denoncin.
On the industrial side, the number can even exceed hundreds of thousands. Delhaize, for example, is planning to sell 200,000 galettes. "In the past, bakers took a break after New Year's Eve, but now it's after Epiphany," according to Denoncin.
He notes that this increase in production is welcomed by the bakers, especially since the period between Epiphany and Valentine's Day is particularly slack.
The trend is now towards original galettes. The simple frangipane with a hazelnut as the bean has given way to cakes with apricot, pistachio or chocolate.
"Diversification is a bit about standing out," the federation president notes. "There are 10 to 20 different kinds of galette, so there's something for everyone to choose from."
