The candlestick ! Here it is ! It is the announced return of spring and the confirmation that light will finally expand its kingdom. February 2 is the time to perpetuate this pagan and Latin custom which has become a Christian religious holiday. Forty days after the birth of Jesus, Candlemas or Candlelight Festival , commemorates the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple and his recognition by the old priest Simeon as “Light who reveals himself to the nations”.

Already in Rome, the tradition of crepes

It was Pope Gelasius I in 494 who associated the feast of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple with the feast of “candles”, of pagan origin. He resumed the ritual of the torchlight processions transformed into a blessing of the candles lit in the churches on February 2. It is said that the Pope then distributed pancakes to the pilgrims who arrived in Rome on this occasion.

In Roman antiquity the “original” Candlemas was celebrated around February 15 and associated with the primitive divinity associated with fertility, Lupercus . These festivals, Lupercalia, festivals of rebirth and renewal , which remained anchored as a tradition in Roman life, did not really end until the 6th century.

The tradition of the Louis d’or

From this ancient pagan and religious festival, another custom remains in certain families. This consists of turning the pancakes with your right hand while holding a golden Louis in your left hand. If the pancake falls correctly, it is a sign of prosperity in the year. Be careful not to miss!

Where does this ancestral practice come from? It seems that it dates back to the Middle Ages. This ritual aimed to bring good luck by already holding a gold coin. In many families, a gold Louis was kept to respect this tradition.

Is this still the case for you? In any case, here is a very simple Vosges beer pancake recipe to perpetuate this tradition that brings hope for the months to come.

Ingredients

For 15 to 20 pancakes in a 20cm diameter pan

• 250 g of sifted or fluid flour
• 4 eggs
• 450 ml of slightly lukewarm milk
• 1/2 glass of Val’heureuse blond beer
• 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract or 1 sachet of vanilla sugar
• 2 tablespoons of sugar
• 1 pinch of salt
• 50 g Lehmann churned butter

Preparation

1. Start by gently melting the butter in the microwave and heating the milk which must be barely lukewarm to avoid lumps.
2. Then, sift the flour and mix the sugar and salt in a salad bowl or mixing bowl. For greater lightness, you can also use 50g of cornstarch instead of 50g of flour.
3. In the mixing bowl, add the eggs, butter and little by little, whisking gently, add the milk and obtain a smooth dough, without lumps.
4. Add 1/2 glass of Val'heureuse beer and let sit for 30 minutes before starting to cook
5. Heat a knob of butter in the pan and add a ladle of dough.
6. Cook your pancakes on each side until they are golden brown .
7. As you go, place them on a plate, covering with a sheet of aluminum foil.

Happy Candlemas Day to everyone from all Cella producers!

Trick

You can also flambé your pancakes with AOC Fougerolles farmhouse kirsch from the Chassard farm.

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