Why is cheese hidden inside the ring shaped cake at Epiphany?

The cheese hidden inside the ring-shaped cake for Epiphany is not cheese. It is a fève, a small charm, often a porcelain figurine.

Here's why:

* Epiphany Tradition: Epiphany, also known as Three Kings Day, celebrates the visit of the three wise men to the baby Jesus. The cake symbolizes the journey the wise men took, and the fève represents the baby Jesus himself.

* Finding the Fève: Whoever finds the fève in their slice of cake is considered lucky for the coming year. In some traditions, the person who finds the fève is crowned "King" or "Queen" for the day.

The Origins of the Fève:

* Originally, beans were used as the charm, hence the name "fève" (bean in French).

* Over time, beans were replaced with porcelain figurines, often depicting religious themes or popular figures.

So, next time you see a ring-shaped cake for Epiphany, don't expect cheese – be prepared to find a little surprise hidden inside!