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The origin of this pastry is linked
to the legend of Sainte Agathe, a Sicilian martyr
(3rd century).
Because this young Christian repulsed
the advances of the Roman proconsul, he tried to get
her to renounce her faith under torture, but to no
avail. Agathe had her breasts removed but they miraculously
grew back the following day. And when she was ready at the stake, the ground trembled, killing
her torturers.
The region of Savoie adopted this legend after the
unification of Sicily with the Duchy, in 1713,
the women taking the habit of making a cake in
the form of a breast every 5th February,
the Saint’s birthday.
Since 1880, the Saint Genix cake has been made
according to a recipe that has been passed down the
generations from father to son. It is a brioche, adorned
with sugared red almonds, that represents the legend
of Sainte Agathe...
Boulangeries and pâtisseries of Saint
Genix sur Guiers.
Original house for the Saint Genix
cake :
PATISSERIE LABULLY at Saint Genix sur Guiers
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