“In the name of Rabelais, Saint-Honoré, patron saint of bakers, Dionysus, god of wine, and Cirnonsky, prince of gourmets, I appoint you ambassador of the Fouace Brotherhood.”
These are the first words spoken by the Guardians of the Fouace Mothaise, the Companions of the Brotherhood of the Fouace and the specific flavors of Mothe-Saint-Héray.
Then they sing the anthem to the fouace, “Friends of the fouace, eat it without complaining, fill the mouths of the companions, for they love what is good.”
Since 1983, this brotherhood, with its 156 members, has been meeting in long robes colored fouace, of course, as well as square hats, reminiscent of Rabelais' famous hat, and regularly introduces new members who take an oath: “I pledge today, until my dying breath, to promote, taste, and eat this Fouace, the jewel of our Mothais region, many times over with my loved ones, beyond the borders of my territory, and on all occasions, feasts, and circumstances of life.”
The Mecca of Fouace
There are many types of fouace in France, which were originally unleavened wheat flour cakes, a kind of brioche in the shape of a pancake, formerly baked under the ashes in the “hearth,” hence the name “fouace.”
The fouace gained recognition in 1536.
Over time, La Mothe-Saint-Héray became the Mecca of the true fouace.
Today, Daniel Favreau, Master Fouacier, Pastry Chef and Chocolatier in La Mothe-Saint-Héray, is the last keeper of the secret recipe and the only one who still makes it.
It is important to note that this fouace was originally made in Bagnault, among the mills, water, and salt, and the pastry chef and chocolatier of La Mothe-Saint-Héray bought the secret recipe for fouace, which thus “migrated” to La Mothe-Saint-Héray in 1902.
Members of the Confrérie de la Fouace (Brotherhood of Fouace) and specific flavors of La Mothe-Saint-Héray
La Mothe-Saint-Héray Town Hall
Place Clemenceau,
79800 La Mothe-Saint-Héray
https://www.tourisme-deux-sevres.com/la-fouace-de-la-mothe-saint-heray-fille-de-rabelais
Translated with DeepL.com
(free version)
