Rosca de Reyes

Today at work I got an email saying please join us for rosca de reyes at 3pm (read the below description from wiki to learn more).I had no idea what to expect and was excited to find out. 40 people crammed into a conference room to cut a large colorful round cake which had 10 little baby Jesus figurines hidden inside. If you pulled one out than on the 2nd of February you had to buy tamales and atole for everyone in the office. Since I was the newcomer to the team everyone insisted I cut my slice 1st and what do you know!!!! There was a baby Jesus in my slice of cake and my co-workers laughed and cheered. The cutting process took another 10 minutes as people carefully chose where to cut . During that time 9 more figurines were uncovered. Some of the lucky ten seemed happy to get the figurine others a little upset due to the fact they would have to buy tamales and atole for everyone on the team.Customs from diverse cultures are something I enjoy participating in and learning about. . I found the tradition very interesting and fun to participate in.

Rosca de reyes or roscón de reyes (kings' ring) is a very fine cake prepared carefully and delicately.

Although the name indicates that it should be round, the Mexican “rosca de reyes” generally has an oval shape due to the need to make cakes larger than 30cm across for larger parties. For luxurious decoration, Mexican people use tanned and fig fruit, quinces, cherries, etc.; which besides from making it pretty, enriches its flavor.

It is traditionally eaten in January 6, during the celebration of the "Día de Reyes" (Wise Men Day). In most of Spain, Mexico, and sometimes Hispanic communities in the United States, this is the day when children get presents from the Three Wise Men (not from Santa). They leave a shoe outside, filled with hay or dried grass for the animals the Kings ride, before they go to bed along with a note. The Mexican “rosca de reyes” has an oval shape. For decoration, Mexican people use dried and candied fruits like figs, quinces or cherries

The tradition of placing a trinket (figurine of the Christ Child) in the cake is very old. The baby Jesus, when hidden in the bread, represents the flight of Jesus, fleeing from King Herod's evil plan. Whoever finds the small baby Jesus is blessed and must take it (a representation of baby Jesus) to the nearest church on the 2nd of February (Día de la Candelaria). In the Mexican culture, also has to have a party and provide tamales and atole to the guests.

In some places, the roscón de reyes is replaced by Panettone, sometimes with trinkets.