SAN DIEGO — Rosca de Reyes is a staple in many homes who celebrate Día de Los Reyes, commonly known as Three Kings Day. It's a pastry that's kept many bakeries throughout San Diego County busy as lots of families gather to celebrate.
“Porque de eso se trata, de estar unidos en la familia, de comer y convivir en familia,” La Nueva Mexican Bakery Employee Juan Moreno Said.
Moreno tells CBS 8 that it's a time meant to be united and eat together as a family.
La Nueva Mexican Bakery on Market Street has made Rosca de Reyes each year on January 6 for about 17 years. They have to make more each year.
“The three kings visited Jesus Christ when he was born and he brought gifts so he brought gold, incense and myrrh,” Chula Vista Resident Yamine Huertas said.
Juan Moreno's wife owns the bakery. He tells CBS 8 that they've made about 200 roscas Saturday morning.
“Adentro trae los monitos, los jesus que le llaman los jesús de los pequenos babies y dependiendo de la persona cuantos quiere usualmente los hacemos con cuatro y ya si la persona quiere mas se los incrustamos,” Moreno said.
The small babies inside the rosca are meant to resemble Jesus Christ, Moreno said. The bakery usually adds four baby Jesus figures but depending on how many the customer wants they will add more.
Día de Los Reyes is a celebration that's been carried on for generations with the holiday being commemorated in many countries. It's most common in Mexico and Latin America.
"We would like to pass on that to the next generation so they can continue with tradition and so they can pass it on to their children as well,” Huertas said.
People who get a slice of rosca with a baby Jesus figure are responsible for making tamales or other traditional goods on February 2 when families gather once again.
WATCH RELATED: Casa Familiar giving out gifts to San Ysidro children for Three Kings Day