King cake is a must-have for Carnival season, but where did it come from and how did it get to be a Mardi Gras staple?
We share the top five things you need to know about the celebratory king cake.
What is the tradition of Carnival and king cake?
King cakes are served throughout the Mardi Gras season, with the first slice introduced each year on Jan. 6, the day the three kings — or three wise men — are said to have found the baby Jesus by following the Star of Bethlehem. They brought gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Jan. 6 is the 12 days after Christmas and is called Epiphany,…