Catalans get ready to consume over 850,000 special King cakes

Barcelona (CNA).- Catalans bakers expect to sell over 850,000 special Kings' cake this year, a figure similar to that of last year. As the name suggests, the "king cake" takes its name from the biblical three kings and is a traditional desert consumed by the majority of Catalan families on Three Kings Day. The 'tortell de Reis' is a circular cake normally filled with custard, cream or marzipan and some traditional treats. One of the treats and the most special, especially for children, is a plastic or ceramic King. The lucky person to find this in their slice gets to be the King for the day. On the other hand, the person who finds a small trinket like a bean has some obligations like paying for the cake or buying next years.

Although the traditional cake costs between 10 and 40 euros, it is unlikely to be left off Catalonian households' shopping lists this January 6th. It is an important, just like that of St. Joan in June. According to the President of the Catalan Federation of Confectioners, 'it is not Three Kings Day without a traditional tortell on the table'.

Sales are set to be high this year. According to the union of Catalan bakers and confectioners Catalans, about 600,000 Kings' cake will be sold in Barcelona itself, and 100,000 and 150,000 in Lleida and Tarragona. In Girona, the figure is also similar to 2010, with forecast sales of between 100,000 and 150,000 tortells. Turull is positive despite the crisis. However, he does say that most people wait till the last moment to purchase.

According to Turull, the traditional marzipan filling is losing power and consumers are opting more cream and custard based fillings. However, according to the expert, the most important thing about this special King cake is not the taste, but rather the excitement of the treats that come with it. So although the taste, size and fillings are sure to evolve, the King and the bean will always be present to light up Catalonian childrens' day each January 6th.