Gluten-free confectionery and artisanal chocolatiers opens in downtown Budapest

Recently opened in downtown Budapest, the Mocsári Liliom Confectionery evokes happier times of unadulterated indulgence. Fine delicacies, homemade cakes and sweets combining prime Belgian dark chocolate with organic jelly all feature, and when the epidemic finally lifts, you'll be able to sip coffee at a Neo Baroque-style table in the cosy interior.

Eleonóra Mocsári did not start out in gastronomy. A documentary editor-reporter for 20 years, she had own production company, which is now run by her son. A couple of years ago, her daughter got into gluten-free baking because of her own dietary requirements, by which time Nóra was already an experienced chocolatier, and had studied confectionery in Brussels and Switzerland.

Photo: Mocsári Liliom Cukrászda / Facebook

Her studies proved decisive – here, her artisanal chocolates are made exclusively from Belgian ingredients. Nóra christened the brand NOR999, the 999 referring to the purity of gold. Her chocolates contain no additives or preservatives.

She sweetens everything with honey, but can also use sugar substitute erythritol upon request. She mastered baking after many years of experimentation, as it is much more difficult to make leavened dough and sponge cake from rice, corn and other mixed flours than in the traditional way.

When you taste them, you shouldn’t feel the distinct, cumbersome texture often found in gluten-free cakes; the chocolate variety consisting of light sponge and chocolate cream and the poppy-lemon delight showcase her harmonious use of impeccable ingredients.

On pretty Veres Pálné utca, a romantic atmosphere imbues the store, where you can temporarily forget about the pandemic. Nóra decorated the shop herself, her Neo-Baroque leanings reflected in the tableware, murals and gift boxes.

For the time being, everything is made in the workshop in Sáregres, 110 kilometres from Budapest. The additive-free jellies are made from organic fruit grown by the family of Nóra Rétimajor, otherwise famous for their fish.

You’ll find quince-cheese, prune, raspberry, almond, cherry-wine, roast-walnut, pistachio, white-chocolate, Unicum and orange-truffle flavours laid out on the counter.