Dia de Los Reyes – Also Known As 3 Kings Day
We are a multi-cultural family; I am from Texas and my husband is from Mexico. Our daughter was born here in Louisiana and is a part of the French Immersion Program in her school. We get to do all different types of traditions from all the cultures. During the Christmas holiday, one tradition we experience is the Rosca de Reyes eaten alongside Día de Los Reyes.
In Mexico, Día de Los Reyes (known elsewhere as Epiphany) is celebrated on January 6th to honor the Three Wise Men. This holiday represents the day the Three Wise Men (Los Tres Reyes Magos) gave gifts to Jesus Christ, and the day marks the final Christmas festivity.
The main, must-have food is the Rosca de Reyes (a King Cake much like that eaten for Mardi Gras). As the tradition goes, a small plastic baby Jesus is baked into the colorful, fruit flavored cake.
My husband has always enjoyed doing the Dia de Los Reyes with our daughter as it is a favorite childhood tradition for him from growing up in Mexico. He loves to bring home the Rosca de Reyes, which is a Mexican version of Louisiana traditional king cake – though not as sweet and not full of the yummy icing I’ve grown accustomed to eating.
He will also prepare a Mexican hot chocolate “Abuletia” which is very very tasty to go along with the Roca de Reyes.
The Mexican hot chocolate can be found at your neighborhood Walmart or Super 1. If you are interested in trying a Mexican version of King Cake, there is a Mexican Grocery located on Ambassador Caffery near I-10 name La Morenita.
