Szaloncukor
A festive Hungarian Christmas candy with a name that evolved from German tradition, not a single inventor.
Szaloncukor (Hungarian: [ˈsɒlont͡sukor]; Slovak: *salónka*, plural *salónky*; literally "parlour candy"; Romanian: *bomboane de pom*) is a Christmas sweet in Hungary, Romania, and Slovakia. Classified as an imported and adapted Hungarikum, it consists of fondant coated in chocolate and wrapped in shiny coloured foil. The candies are hung on the Christmas tree as decorations. During the holiday season, each household consumes nearly one and a half kilograms of them.
The practice of hanging these sweets on the tree began in the 19th century. The name *szaloncukor* comes from the German-Austrian *Salonzuckerl* (originally *szalonczukkedli* in Hungarian), because the tree was typically placed in the parlour (*szalon* in Hungarian; *cukor* means "sugar" or "candy"; in Slovak, *salón* is "parlour" and *-ka* is a diminutive suffix).
**Manufacturing** Until the first fondant machines appeared—built by the Stühmer chocolate factory for the famous Gerbeaud confectionery—the entire process was done by hand. The last step to be mechanised was twisting the end of the paper wrapper, a step that could not be skipped because it gives the candy its characteristic shape. Originally, fondant candies came in only a few flavours, such as vanilla and strawberry, but today many varieties exist, including jelly, coconut, and hazelnut. They are hung on the tree with strings or small metal hooks. Children traditionally empty all the wrappers from the tree before the season ends, no matter how much adults may disapprove.
**History** Fondant itself was developed in the 16th or 17th century, and the earliest known precursors to szaloncukor emerged in Europe as confectionery techniques evolved. The name *szaloncukor* evolved naturally from the German *Salonzuckerl* ("parlour sugar"), reflecting the tradition of decorating Christmas trees in the salon. The candies became popular in Hungary when German craftsmen migrated there in the 19th century. Wealthy German families would set up Christmas trees in their entrance halls (called salons) and decorate them with sweets wrapped in shiny paper. By the early 19th century, the candies had reached Hungary via German intermediaries. The Hungarian term *szaloncukor* gradually came into use, derived from the German *Salonzuckerl*.
Quick Facts
- Country
- Hungary
- Main Ingredient
- filling such as jelly, marzipan, coconut covered in chocolate
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Fondant, the key ingredient, was developed in the 16th or 17th century, not the 14th. The tradition of wrapping fondant candies for Christmas trees began in 19th century Germany, where wealthy families decorated their salons with sweets wrapped in shiny paper. German craftsmen brought this custom to Hungary, where the candies became known as *szaloncukor*, a natural evolution from the German *Salonzuckerl*. No single chef or year is credited with inventing the name; it emerged organically from the tradition of placing the tree in the salon. By the early 19th century, the candies had reached Hungary through German intermediaries, and mass production began in 1883.
Reader's Guide
Szaloncukor is significant as a cultural symbol of Christmas in Central Europe, representing a fusion of French confectionery tradition, German customs, and local Hungarian, Slovak, and Romanian adaptation. Its name reflects its placement in the parlour (szalon) and its sweet nature (cukor). The tradition of hanging these candies on the Christmas tree started in the 19th century. Manufacturing evolved from manual production to mechanization, with Stühmer chocolate factory making the first fondant-machines for Gerbaud. Mass production by steam-powered engines began in 1883 in Hungary. The Kugler family founded a chocolate factory in 1886, and by 1941 opened the largest chocolate factory in Hungary. In 1951, DEVA factory in Trebišov, Czechoslovakia (today Slovakia) began producing salónky. The candy's legacy includes a variety of flavours beyond original vanilla and strawberry, and the tradition of children emptying wrappers before the season ends.
Did You Know?
- The last part of the manufacturing procedure to be mechanized was the thrumming of the end of the paper cover.
- In 1951, chocolate factory DEVA was founded in Trebišov, Czechoslovakia (today Slovakia), producing salónky.
- Every year, almost a kilo and a half of szaloncukor are consumed per household during Christmas season.
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