As you walk into ZAX Chocolates on downtown Sas utca, your imagination is immediately captured by the array of colourful bonbons, the smell of fresh coffee and the friendly, personable atmosphere. Forget Cadbury's and cheap Hershey’s kisses, and dive into the colourful, delicious, handcrafted world of ZAX.
It all started in a small border town in Slovakia. The region is historically Hungarian-speaking, and the workers at the little chocolate factory were living in two worlds. Now, with the second ZAX Chocolate Shop opening in the heart of downtown Budapest, their dream of selling their chocolates here in Hungary has finally been realised.
Cone-shaped individual chocolates stand in rows at the front
counter, brilliantly coloured in reds, oranges, blues, greens, pinks and
purples, with swirled and dotted patterns bringing to mind the eggs of some
exotic bird, rather than any traditional chocolate treat on the market today.
These
unique markings are the hallmark of ZAX, whose handcrafted chocolate
manufacturing began nine years ago, and has been going strong ever since.
These individual chocolates are the first thing seen upon entering
the shop, each representing a different flavour, including passion fruit,
yogurt, lime, vanilla, pomegranate, cappuccino and even champagne.
They can be
purchased individually (480 HUF per chocolate) or in packs ranging from six to 100. A pack of six costs 3,190 forints and serious chocolate lovers can take
home a box of 100 for 38,900 forints.
“Everything is natural,” explains Kata, standing behind the
counter. “There are no artificial colours, everything is made out of 100% cocoa
butter with 68% dark chocolate so as to not overpower the flavour
inside.” And when creating the swirls or speckled overtures which make each
bonbon unique, those are done individually, as well.
It’s an elaborate,
time-consuming process, but the result is spectacular, and it’s easy to see why
they are popular birthday and Christmas gifts. “In fact, last week there were
two different guys who came in to buy some for a date,” says Kata, “since flowers
are ‘so mainstream’”.
The shop also sells chocolate bars, dragees (chocolate-covered almonds or hazelnuts with a dusting of edible gold dust) and a Nutella-like spread (called "Zsutella," as the maker's name is Zsuzsi), made of only three ingredients: 70% piemont nuts, sugar and cocoa powder . The result is a “massive, intensive taste” says Kata.
ZAX also serves coffee, and has paired with Taittinger, the high-end French champagne. The two plan to hold champagne and chocolate events here in the near future. Bottles can be purchased in the store, for anyone keen on hosting their own exclusive tastings at home.
The interior of ZAX is comfortable, with marble tabletops and teal lounge chairs, and funky neon decorations throwing a splash of colour onto the whitewashed walls. Delivery is available via Wolt, with hand sanitiser on the counter for anyone stepping into the shop.
ZAX Chocolates
District V. Sas utca 15
Open: Tue-Sun 10am-8pm
