Nostalgic Hungarian brands that have almost disappeared

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We all know some of the most popular Hungarian brands, such as Túri Rudi, the Boci chocolate, or the Sport chocolate bar. However, there are a couple of brands which have either disappeared, or very hard to come by. Hvg.hu discovered three such brands, and the places where you can buy them.

Ibolya Espresso on Ferenciek Square is the only place where you can buy Bambi, the iconic drink of the 1950s and Bambi drink1960s Hungary. The drink has gradually disappeared from the stores and espressos, and the employees of Bambi said that it’s mainly the elderly who order the drink. The manufacturer, the Budapest Healing Baths and Hot Springs Co. Ltd. (BGYH) only makes about 5-6000 bottles a year, and gives a minimal amount to Ibolya Espresso every month.

The manufacturing company is owned by Budapest and they make the orange flavoured Bambi since 2002 based on their own recipe. Except for Ibolya Espresso no one is selling the drink, and it’s mainly used for “advertising and marketing purposes,” such as the 25th birthday of Fidesz.

The death of the Bambi brand was caused by Coca-Cola, which was introduced to Hungary in 1968 and was manufactured in the Kőbánya Liquor Factory. It was later relocated to the factory on the Margaret Island, and the manufacturing of Bambi was halted.

To have a successful brand nostalgia is not enough, Bálint Nagy, head of the marketing department at IBS (International Business School) said. Money is needed, and a little knowledge of marketing as well.

There are cases when a multinational store is not a guarantee for a drink or a type of food to become popular. Hvg.hu Leó ice creamdiscovered the Leó ice cream at Tesco, even though it’s not summer. However, the brand is not advertised anywhere, and it’s not even listed on Nestlé’s Hungarian web page, and it doesn’t have a Facebook page either. According to the ice cream’s label it’s made in Poland, and although hvg.hu contacted Nestlé Hungary, they haven’t got any answer yet.

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