La fève literally means “broad bean” and currently references the small trinkets or figurines traditionally found in king cakes. In the European tradition, the trinket was an actual bean in which the finding of the bean proclaimed that person the “king of the feast.” These trinkets can take the shape of miscellaneous figurines or crowns. However, tiny figurines that were made in porcelain, and now plastic, have replaced the bean. Tradition also holds that whosoever finds the trinket is proclaimed king for the day and offers the next cake.

The tradition of “la feve” is still continued today however the bean has mostly been replaced by porcelain or plastic figurines most notably a small child representing baby Jesus.  For some bakeries these porcelain figurines have become collectible items and are manufactured especially for the Carnival Season.  The tradition of placing the bean or figurine doll is still found in almost all the different traditions of king cakes: French, Spanish, Spanish America, and Gulf Coast.