Bean-feast facts for kids
A bean-feast, also known as a beano in Britain, is a fun, informal party or special meal. Long ago, it was often an annual summer dinner given by an employer to their workers. It probably started from the Twelfth Night celebrations in countries like Belgium and the Netherlands. Today, "bean-feast" can describe any happy occasion with food and maybe an outing.
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Where Did the Name Come From?
The name "bean-feast" has a couple of interesting origins. One idea is that it came from the Twelfth Night festival. This holiday is celebrated in early January, twelve days after Christmas. In many parts of Europe, people would eat a special cake or pie with a hidden object inside.
Another idea for the name comes from a specific meal. Some people believe it refers to eating a dish of beans and bacon. This idea dates back to 1725. A man named Daniel Day from London started inviting friends to a party near his home in Essex every first Friday in July.
The Missing Goose
Even though it's called a "bean-feast," a goose was often the main food at these parties! Over time, the goose was no longer mentioned in the name, but it remained a popular dish. A bean goose is a type of bird that migrates. It gets its name because the top part of its beak looks like a horse-bean.
Bean-Feasts as Outings
In the 1800s and early 1900s, a bean-feast often meant a trip to a beautiful place. The special meal would be served there. It was a way for workers to enjoy a day out with good food and company.
The Bean King Tradition
A big part of the Twelfth Night feast was a special "king cake" or pie. It had a hidden object, or "favour," baked inside. In countries like Belgium and the Netherlands, this favour was often a bean.
The person who found the bean in their slice of cake became the bean king (or queen) for the rest of the night! They would wear a paper crown and choose people to be their "court officials." When the bean king took a drink, everyone at the party would shout, "The king drinks!"
This fun tradition was a popular subject for artists. Many Flemish Baroque and Dutch Golden Age painters created artworks showing bean-feasts. Famous artists like Jacob Jordaens and Jan Steen painted these lively scenes.
