No Christmas tree is complete without szaloncukor, a traditional Hungarian Christmas candy.
The famous festive sweet is wrapped in coloured foil, twisted around at both ends like a mini cracker. It’s very much a seasonal candy, so you know the Christmas season has arrived when it hits the shelves.
Szaloncukor dates to 14th century France and the tradition is to decorate the Christmas tree with the sweets and eat them during the festive period.
Famous Hungarian confectioners including Gerbeaud and Stühmer create their own recipes, and there are many different styles and flavours produced today.
Szaloncukor resembles a chocolate covered bonbon, and comes in many guises ranging from chestnut to the popular jelly-filled option.
The best place to try this traditional Hungarian candy is at one of the many Christmas markets, or do something bold and hunt out the recipe to make it yourself!