Unique Hungarian success at the Oscar’s of food
Magyar Idők reports that altogether forty different Hungarian culinary wonders were awarded at the Oscar’s of food, the Great Taste Awards. Among the successful products that represented Hungary were several types of honey, chocolate, paprika and vinegar, along with roasted pumpkin seed oil.
The Great Taste Awards was launched in 1994 by the British Guild of Fine Food company, where countries from all over the world arrive to prove that their tastes are the best. It is not among the prerequisites for a product to be sold in Great Britain, as long as it a craft food or drinks. It is important for these small manufacturers to be acknowledged and accredited in order for them to be able to compete with supermarket premium brands. To promote these products, those that wore awarded by the jury, are allowed to use the Great Taste Awards logo on their packaging, which is quality assurance for customers.
This year over 12.5 thousand products were competing, but only 4600 of them were found to be truly distinguished. Only 192 of them were awarded a three-star qualification, 1207 were qualified with two stars and 3254 with one star by the professional jury comprised of food critics, chefs, journalists and manufacturers.
Out of the all Hungarian products, two were qualified with three stars, 14 with two and 25 with one star.
Hungarian chocolate manufacturers are regular winners on the international field: the Bonbonier Chocolate Company stood out with their salted caramel-hazelnut truffle at this year’s Great Taste Awards, while chocoMe from Budapest won five bronze medals.
Aside from the by manufacturers operating directly in Hungary, bringing honey and chocolate specialities forth the jury, a special entrance was made. Best of Hungary, a Hungarian importer based in Wales entered the competition with some extraordinary creations, like the Donum Terrae Pumpkin Seed Oil or the Tokaj Balsamic Vinegar Pear-Lavender, which were loved by the jury.
The co-owner and manager of the Wales-based Hungarian trading company, Zoltán Kopácsi, emphasised that their family business only deals with products that come from small manufacturing companies.
These products must all be entirely natural; they cannot contain additives, colourants and preservatives.
The reason for this is that in the UK the trade of bio-foodstuff doubles each year.
Thanks to Jamie Oliver, Brits are now more open to new cuisine, and even though people might be interested in the secrets of the Hungarian kitchen, so far their access to quality Hungarian ingredients was limited.
Best of Hungary offers the numerous products of seventeen manufacturers. The success and popularity of honey and paprika is unbreakable, but unique ingredients like the vinegar made from Tokaj wines (these wines from Tokaj in themselves are very attractive to Brits, can we blame them?) are gaining spotlight slowly.
featured image: gruenewoche.de
Source: magyaridok.hu
