We are approaching the Christmas season again, and in Hungary a traditional poppy-seed or walnut-filled roll, called ‘bejgli,’ is an indispensable part of it. The Hungarian Confectioners’ Association is now drawing attention to the fact that although the price of the “industrial” bejgli can be much cheaper than those available in confectioners’ shops, their quality is also much poorer.
Bejgli, also known as poppy-seed or walnut rolls, is a traditional Hungarian Christmas food. More recently, there are also chestnut, cherry, prune, or even cabbage versions. Folklore has it that nuts should be eaten to ward off evil, while poppy seeds bring good fortune to the home.
The dough for this pastry is similar to that for bread, made with yeast boiled in milk.
If you do not want to make your own roll at home, there are plenty of places to buy them.
However, you have to be careful where you buy your pastry, because although the cheap price may be attractive, the quality is low.
The professional chairman of the Hungarian Confectioners’ Association told Világgazdaság, a Hungarian economic site, that this year the price of bejgli usually starts at 3,000 forints (EUR 7.3) up to 4,500-5,000 forints (EUR 11-12). In most cases, a piece of the traditional roll is about 500 grams, but you can also find 1 kilogram ones.
Those who decide to bake the festive treat themselves will also have to dig deep into their pockets. For example, if you opt for the nut version, you will have to pay around 20 percent more than last year for the filling.
According to the chairman, the price of bejgli already reflects increased energy prices, while the price of raw materials has also doubled.
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