How is King Cake Connected to Mardi Gras?

Today is Mardi Gras. And, even though the temperatures are currently below freezing in New Orleans, the parades will still roll. The two big ones today are Zulu and Rex.

Besides the parades, one of the things that people most associate with Mardi Gras is King Cake. Just a couple of weeks ago I received a question from a reader asking about the connection between King Cake and Mardi Gras.

I will be joining Lino Rulli, The Catholic Guy, again today on his radio show on The Catholic Channel on Sirius/XM radio. The live broadcast starts at 4:00 PM Central time and runs till 6:00 PM. I’m bringing more food for Lino to try, including King Cake!

I also want to talk about your answers to this question on the show. So, what do you think?

How Would You Answer this Question?

If King Cake really comes from the Catholic celebration of King’s Day – or Epiphany, January 6th – then why is it now associated with Mardi Gras?

I have an answer, and it may surprise you. But, first, I would love to know what you think. How would you answer this question? Please tell me in the comments below or pop over to The Catholic Foodie Facebook page and leave your comment there. Here’s the link: The Catholic Foodie on Facebook.

About Jeff Young

Jeff Young, perhaps better known as The Catholic Foodie, is an author, blogger, radio host and podcaster. He is the founder and producer of The Catholic Foodie blog and podcast where he provides "Catholic culinary inspiration to help you grow in faith around the table." Jeff hosts a daily radio show – The Catholic Foodie Show – on BreadboxMedia.com, and he co-hosts the Around the Table Food Show on Catholic Community Radio 690AM (New Orleans) and 1380AM (Baton Rouge). Jeff is a monthly contributor to CatholicMom.com and a contributing author of Word by Word: Slowing Down with the Hail Mary, published by Ave Maria Press. Jeff is also a contributing author of The Catholic Mom's Prayer Companion: A Book of Daily Reflections by Ave Maria Press. Jeff Young is a proud member of the elite Catholic Speakers Organization, CMG Booking. Jeff has spoken on topics ranging from "growing in faith around the table" to "using social media in the New Evangelization." Jeff's first book, Around the Table with The Catholic Foodie: Middle Eastern Cuisine, published by Liguori Publications is now available. With 78 recipes and stories of faith and family (including his travels to the Holy Land), the book is sure to inspire you to get into the kitchen and to gather your family around the table. The book is available on Amazon.com, Liguori.org, and wherever good Catholic books are sold.