Dunakavics Candy

Dunakavics is a Hungarian candy that has crunchy roasted peanuts which are coated with sugar. The candy comes in various colors similar to M&M's dragées. Dunakavics brings back a feeling of nostalgia into the retro years of Hungary. The Dunakavics brand has survived for over 60 years. This traditional Hungarian sweet treat, sold by Roshen (Bonbonetti), has been widely distributed in its original blue packaging within the country. (Taste Hungary, 2023)[1]

History

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In 1964, the production of Dunakavics began at the Danube Chocolate Factory, and it has been made with the same recipe ever since. The name originates from the uneven sugar coating, which makes these dragées resemble pebbles found along the Danube.(Origo)[2]

Most of the candies we consider retro today, were created around the 1960s. Retro in Hungary developed from the comeback of older branded products, brought back in both new and retro styles. Dunakavics is remembered by older generations as a retro Hungarian candy, which enjoyed its peak popularity in the 1960s, 70s, and 80s. Retro resonates with both young and old by connecting the past to present market values. For some, Hungarian retro evokes nostalgia for a time of perceived national pride, economic independence, and strength. (Fehérváry, 2020)[3]

A significant portion of the sweets came from factories in Budapest. This remained true until the regime change in the 90s. The 'Budapest Confectionery Enterprise'- Budapest Édesipari Vállalat was among the first to be privatized.[4] An important part of the history of Dunakavics is that its spread was influenced by the factory originally founded by Frigyes Stühmer[5]. According to news reports at the time, the young master's goal was to free Hungarians from low-quality candies that contained substances dangerous to health. (Helmeczi, 2023)[6]

Ingredients/ how it's made

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The Dunakavics confectionery produced by Bonbonetti[7] (Roshen[8])consists of roasted peanuts coated in a colorful sugar shell. This candy comprises 46% sugar, glucose syrup, various colorings, a glazing agent, flavoring, and a small amount of hazelnut. (MagyarImport, 2024)[9]

Furthermore, the preparation of this confection begins with combining water and sugar in a heated pot, where the two ingredients are stirred until they achieve a uniform mixture. As the mixture begins to bubble, the sides of the pot are greased to facilitate the caramelization process. Subsequently, various food colorings are added to separate bowls, followed by the incorporation of the caramelized mixture. After this stage, walnuts are introduced into each bowl, and the contents are thoroughly mixed to ensure that the nuts are completely coated with the caramel. Finally, the completed treats are placed on parchment paper to cool before consumption. (Anzsy)[10]

References

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  1. ^ Expat, A. Group of; Writers, Local; foodways, intent on making sense of Hungary's traditional; Industry, Its Emerging Wine; foods, Budapest's food scene We focus on telling the stories of the deliciously complex; Hungary, wines of; People, The; Us, Places That Fascinate; visit, all of the cultural details which make Hungary such a memorable place to (2015-03-01). "Old-School Hungarian Sweets". Taste Hungary.
  2. ^ Origo (January 18, 2020). "Since the settlement, the first Hungarian chocolate factory has been pouring sweets".
  3. ^ Fehérváry, Krisztina (July 2022). "National Retro and the Re-mattering of History in Twenty-First-Century Hungary". Comparative Studies in Society and History. 64 (3): 646–689. doi:10.1017/S0010417522000184. ISSN 0010-4175.
  4. ^ Trademagazin (June 8, 2020). "Generációk kedvencei voltak ezek az édességek".
  5. ^ "A kiegyezés óta ontja az édességeket az első magyar csokoládégyár". 18 January 2020.
  6. ^ Helmeczi, Benjamin (May 25, 2023). "Érdekes titkot rejt a Dunakavics neve, nem véletlenül hívják így a retró édességet".
  7. ^ "Bonbonetti Choco KFT".
  8. ^ Roshen (September 29, 2024). "Historical Background".
  9. ^ Magyar Import (September 26, 2024). "Dunakavics".
  10. ^ Konyhája, Anzsy (September 18, 2018). "Dunakavics házilag recept". YouTube.