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Thali

Next: 2 Feb 2027

Candlemas

Crêpes in France and tamales in Mexico, forty days after Christmas.

Presentation of Jesus at the Temple
Photo: Andrea Mantegna, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

What is eaten for Candlemas

Candlemas marks the presentation of Jesus at the Temple, forty days after his birth. In France it is la Chandeleur, the day of crêpes. The round golden pancakes are said to recall the sun, and tossing one with a coin held in the other hand is meant to bring money for the year. In Mexico it is Día de la Candelaria. Whoever found the figure of the child in the Three Kings bread now provides tamales for everyone, with atole or champurrado to drink.

The dishes

CrêpeTossed in France on la Chandeleur, with a coin in the hand.TamaleOwed by whoever found the figure in the Three Kings bread.AtoleWarm maize drink served with the tamales.ChampurradoChocolate atole, the other drink of the day.

More dishes made for Candlemas

King cake 🇫🇷 France and 5 moreA festive sweet bread or pastry with a hidden token, eaten for Epiphany and Carnival Pie or savoury pastry, Snacks, Tea time
About this page

Written by the Thali desk with AI assistance. Background: "Candlemas" on Wikipedia. Customs differ from family to family and place to place. If this is your tradition and we have it wrong, tell us.

Photo credits on this page

The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.

The weekly plate

Every Monday: seven dishes you may not know, what the world is cooking this week, and one way of eating.