While the world is abuzz with speculation about Kate Middleton and Prince William's April 29 nuptials, a few details have been leaked—including their choice of wedding cake! Staying true to English custom, the couple is serving a fruitcake, a tradition that dates back to medieval times. Just like many American weddings often feature a tiered wedding cake, countries the world over have unique foods that they use to celebrate marriage, which are eaten to deliver good luck, fertility and peace to the happy couple. From candied almonds in Greece to herring roe in Japan, here are nine traditional wedding foods from around the world.
Bem Casados, Brazil
Bem casados (which means "happily married" in Portuguese) is a traditional cookie served at Brazilian weddings. Two mini sponge cakes are joined together by a creamy middle made of dulce de leche (caramel sauce), egg curd or jam. Each one is individually wrapped, tied with a bow and given as a favor to guests at the end of the celebration. Photo: Damaris Santos-Palmer, KitchenCorners.com.
Kola Nuts, Nigeria
In the Igbo tribe of southern Nigeria, kola nuts are commonly used for medicinal purposes. High in caffeine, they are chewed to ease hunger and give people energy. They are also a common staple in a bride's dowry, and during weddings, they are served to symbolize the couple's ability to heal differences in their marriage. In fact, an Igbo wedding is not complete until a kola nut is shared between the bride, groom and their parents. Photo: Shutterstock
Rice Ball Soup, China
In China, it is believed that a bride and groom must have tang yuan (sweet rice ball soup) on their wedding day or the night before they are married to ensure a sweet and smooth marriage. But the key is that the bride and groom cannot chew the rice balls—which would ruin their round, smooth shape—they must swallow them whole for the good luck to work. Photo: courtesy of Randy Lee
Fruitcake, England
This tradition dates back to Medieval England, when guests would bring small cakes, adorned with fruit, nuts and marzipan—symbols of fertility and good fortune—for the wedded couple to kiss over. The top tier, called the "christening cake," would then be kept for the christening of the couple's firstborn child. Photo: Gaby Messina / Getty Images
Jordan Almonds, Greece
These candy-coated almonds are commonly served at Greek (and other Mediterranean) weddings, with the "bitter" nuts and "sweet" sugar coating representing the highs and lows of marriage. They are meant to bestow luck on the couple in hopes that there will be more sweet than bitter moments. The treat is usually served to guests in little bags on silver trays, each bag filled with an odd number of the almonds since odd numbers are indivisible, meaning the couple will not be broken apart. Photo: Shutterstock
Honey and Yogurt, India
In lieu of wedding cake, it's common at Hindu weddings for the bride and groom to eat yogurt mixed with honey. Called madhupak or "offerings," the honey ensures a sweet start to the marriage, while the yogurt symbolizes eternal health. Photo: Shutterstock
Foy Thong, Thailand
Foy thong (loosely translated as "golden silk threads") is an ancient Thai dessert made of egg yolks and sugar syrup. The long noodle-like threads are served at a wedding to symbolize eternal love between the bride and groom. Difficult to make, the process requires a brass wok and a cone with small openings; the goal is to make the threads as long as possible. Photo: Shutterstock
Irish Whiskey Cake and Mead, Ireland
Similar to English custom, the traditional Irish wedding cake is made with fruits and nuts. But it's frosted white and the top tier is an Irish whiskey cake, which is served at the christening of the couple's first baby. Mead—a honey wine believed to enhance virility and fertility—is also served at an Irish wedding. In ancient times, additional mead was given to the couple to share until the first moon of their marriage, which is where the term "honeymoon" is believed to come from. Photo: Ben Ostrowsky
Kazunoko, Japan
In Japan, herring roe (kazunoko) symbolizes fertility and family prosperity. Yellow or pinkish in color, the fish eggs are dried in the sun and pickled in kosher salt to form one large piece. It is often served on rice like sushi and is a popular choice come New Year celebrations, as well. Photo: ICHIRO / Getty Images
