King Cake

Mardi Gras

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Hello everyone. Winnie Griggs here. This week is special, not only because Valentine’s Day is on Wednesday, but also because Mardi Gras falls on Tuesday. As most longtime readers of this blog probably know, I grew up right across the river from New Orleans and am very familiar with this event. Even so, I thought I’d do a little research on the subject. Most of what I found I already knew but some of it was a surprise. Here is a shortened recap of what I learned.

The name Mardi Gras is French for “Fat Tuesday,” The name comes from the practice of consuming rich, fatty foods before the abstinence and fasting of Lent begins

Going back even further in history, there were ancient pagan celebrations that marked the end of winter and the arrival of spring. The Romans celebrated “Saturnalia,” while the Greeks had their “Dionysia.” These festivals were characterized by feasting, revelry, and a temporary reversal of social norms.

With the spread of Christianity, these pagan festivals were incorporated into the Christian calendar. Mardi Gras evolved as a season of its own, starting on Epiphany (January 6th) and culminating on the day before Ash Wednesday.

As for the celebration’s history in the United States, the city of New Orleans is synonymous with Mardi Gras. French settlers brought the tradition to the region in the late 17th century, and it has since grown into a world-famous spectacle. The first recorded Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans took place in 1837, and the celebration has only grown more extravagant since then.

But not to be overshadowed, Mobile, Alabama, claims to have the oldest Mardi Gras celebration in the United States, dating back to 1703. The Mobile Carnival is known for its unique traditions and historical significance.

Here are some distinct differences in traditions between the two cities’ festivities:

  • Parade Style: The style and structure of Mardi Gras parades differ between the two cities. In New Orleans, elaborate and large-scale floats dominate the parades, often featuring intricate designs and themes. In Mobile, the parades may have a more traditional feel, with smaller floats and a focus on community participation.
  • Moon Pies vs. King Cake: While both cities have their unique Mardi Gras treats, Mobile is famous for its tradition of throwing Moon Pies from parade floats, while New Orleans is renowned for its King Cake, a sweet pastry with a hidden figurine inside.
  • Societal Structure: The social organization of Mardi Gras krewes differs between the two cities. In New Orleans, krewes are often private social clubs that organize parades and balls, with membership typically requiring an invitation. In Mobile, krewes are often more community-oriented, and participation may be more accessible to the public.
  • Masking Traditions: While both cities embrace the tradition of wearing masks during Mardi Gras, the styles of masks may vary. New Orleans masks often feature elaborate designs and are associated with masquerade balls, while Mobile masks may reflect a more traditional or historical aesthetic.
  • Size and Scale: New Orleans’ Mardi Gras is known for its grandeur and scale, attracting millions of visitors from around the world. Mobile’s celebration may have a more intimate feel, with a smaller but still vibrant atmosphere.

Mardi Gras is more than just a party; it’s a celebration of history, culture, and community. As another Fat Tuesday rolls around, I hope you’ll take a moment to appreciate the centuries-old traditions and the diverse tapestry of people who come together to make this event so special. Whether you’re able to experience Mardi Gras in person or vicariously, the spirit of revelry, unity, and joy is something we can all embrace.

 

And here are some fun bits of trivia and stats related to Mardi Gras

  • During Mardi Gras season, bakeries in New Orleans produce thousands of king cakes, with some estimates exceeding 500,000 cakes sold each year.
  • The official colors of Mardi Gras—purple, green, and gold—were chosen in 1872 by the Krewe of Rex. Purple represents justice, green symbolizes faith, and gold signifies power.
  • The date of Mardi Gras varies each year because it is tied to the date of Easter, which is a moveable feast in the Christian calendar. Easter falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the vernal equinox (around March 21). Consequently, Mardi Gras, which is the day before Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent, can fall on any Tuesday between February 3 and March 9.
  • There’s a place in New Orleans known as “Mardi Gras World,” where many of the elaborate
  • In addition to beads, Krewe members toss various items known as “throws” from their floats. These can include doubloons (metal coins), plastic cups, stuffed animals, and decorative trinkets. Collecting throws is a cherished tradition for parade-goers.
  • There are approximately 70-80 active krewes in New Orleans, each with its unique theme and style. Some well-known krewes include Krewe of Rex, Krewe of Zulu, and Krewe of Endymion.
  • The oldest continually active krewe in New Orleans is the Krewe of Comus, founded in 1857. However, it’s worth noting that Comus no longer parades in the modern Mardi Gras celebration due to controversies surrounding segregation and secrecy.
  • The Endymion parade, known for its extravagance, holds the record for one of the longest parade routes in New Orleans. It can stretch over 5 miles and includes over 3,000 riders.
  • It’s estimated that millions of beads and trinkets are thrown during Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans each year. Some estimates suggest that over 25 million pounds of beads are imported from China annually for this purpose.
  • The cleanup after Mardi Gras is a monumental task. In recent years, volunteers and city workers have collected approximately 1,000 to 1,200 tons of trash and debris after the festivities.
  • Mardi Gras is a significant economic driver for New Orleans. It’s estimated that the celebration generates hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue annually through tourism, hotels, restaurants, and related industries.
  • The exact number of Mardi Gras attendees can be challenging to quantify, but it’s not uncommon for the city’s population to double or even triple during the Mardi Gras season.
  • Thousands of law enforcement officers are deployed during Mardi Gras to ensure safety and crowd control. The New Orleans Police Department, along with state troopers and other agencies, work together to maintain order.
  • Local businesses, particularly those in the hospitality and entertainment sectors, see a significant boost in revenue during Mardi Gras. Bars, restaurants, hotels, and shops rely heavily on this annual influx of tourists.

So have you ever attended a Mardi Gras parade? Had king cake (My birthday is in February so I usually have one as a birthday cake. 🙂 ). Any experiences with Mardi Gras – good or bad- the you’d like to share?

Leave a comment to b entered in a drawing for a choice of a signed copy of any of my books as well as a small surprise

 

 

 

King Cakes

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Hello everyone, Winnie Griggs here.

February is one of my favorite months of the year. Not only does its calendar contain the most romantic of all holidays, Valentine’s Day, down here in Louisiana it is also Mardi Gras season.

And along with parades, beads and revelry, Mardi Gras season also brings with it King Cake season. I LOVE king cakes it’s one of my favorite treats. If you’ve never had one before, let me tell you a little about them. And if you’ve never had a king cake before, or don’t know the significance of this confection, let me share a little bit about their history.

No one knows the exact origin of the king cake but there are a number of theories. The most popular is that the tradition originated in 12th century France. This origin story states that a special cake was prepared for the feast of the Epiphany, a Christian holiday which commemorates the visit of the three wise men to baby Jesus. The cake, called the Gateau des Rois, or “Cake of Kings” was made of a sweet pastry dough and shaped like a crown. It was filled with fruit and topped with cream.

The tradition of the king cake spread to other countries in Europe, including Spain and Portugal. In both countries, the cake was additionally decorated with a figurine meant to represent the baby Jesus. The king cake eventually made its way to the United States in the late 1700s, travelling with settlers to the New Orleans area. The cakes eventually expanded from a component of Epiphany commemorations to also become a tasty part of Mardi Gras celebrations.

Another tradition surrounding king cakes is in regards to the “baby” that’s inserted inside – the person who finds it in their slice of cake is said to have good luck for the following year and be king or queen for the day. They are also supposed to host the next celebration featuring a king cake.

As I said, I really love a good king cake.  Today they come in many more flavors than the traditional cinnamon. Among the most popular are cream cheese, pecan, chocolate, or fruits such as apples, cherries and various berries. Recently I’ve even heard of savory versions such as sausage, crawfish, and even a taco king cake. But my absolute favorite is strawberry cream cheese. Which my family knows so when we had a family gathering this weekend that’s what one of them brought for dessert. I would have taken a picture for this post but unfortunately I didn’t think about it until this was the only piece left (and even that didn’t last much longer).

If you are interested in making a king cake of your own, here’s the link to a recipe that promises to be quick and easy.

 

And because February is also the month my birthday falls in I’ll be giving away several copies of my books, the winners to be selected from among those who comment on this post.