Following fragrant artisan products: from soap to syrups around Buda

People rely less on the sense of smell for perceiving the environment than some animals.  However this doesn’t mean that odours and fragrance have no influence on us. We are able to distinguish almost ten thousands of smells while the stimuli perceived by our noses trigger different emotional responses. Our scent memory – as this phenomenon is called – is amazingly well-developed: it can happen that exposure to a scent perceived twenty years earlier recalls perfectly fresh memories. And of course, delicate scents associate with good memories while unpleasant odours associate with bad memories. You can easily sniff pleasant scents around Budapest as well, you have to do no more than visit places which are specialised in the production of aromatic and fragrant goods. It can easily turn out that these fragrance experiences evoke good memories from you...

We should probably begin with lavender! It is well-known that fabulous purple flower fields can be seen in summer if we go to Tihany or the Balaton Uplands, but we do not even have to go that far to enjoy the sight – and of course the scent – of this plant which arrived in Hungary in the 1700s although it is native to Europe. When this beautiful form of mint come into season, it blooms across an area of two hectares (for the sake of our incorrigible urban readers: this is about the area of two football pitches) 16 kilometres from the capital city, in Pilisborosjenő, kevélyhegyi levendulamezőn. At this time pick-your-own operations are organised here, but appointments can be booked for photos as well (a great idea for those who are planning a wedding). They create their own products as well – lavender bags and oils for now, but the offer will soon include soap, too. Lavender is in the “focus” at Noll Tanya in Felcsút as well. The plantation here consists of more than three thousand stalks At the estate run by the Noll family who can be proud of their achievements as gardeners going back several generations, we can also buy their homemade products: essential oils, scented sachets and lavender water. And what is this plant good for beyond its beauty? It calms the nerves, provides relief for skin complaints, lavender sachets drive away moths from the wardrobe, essential oils and soap made from lavender promote relaxation.

Vértesacsa is slightly more than ten kilometres from Felcsút, where the smells of summer escape from the bottles. The flavour of the sun-ripened fruits are preserved in various delicacies – even until winter. The owners of the Valaha Tanya have been transforming their organic economy based on permaculture since 2007. Their primary product is cordial – they make seventy types of it – but they offer jam, ajvar and zacuska, too. They grow the raw material (fruit, vegetables, spices) themselves, and all of these are certified organic – besides the products are delicious and their smell is delectable as well! In Etyek the Halmi pince is a nice little family business, where they do not limit their production – pinot noir, cabernet, chardonnay – their excellent palinka may be more exciting (for example with succulent blackberry) or the naturally-fermented artisanal vinegars. What about cordials? There are cordials made from fruits and flowers as well. Which is the most delicious? Our great favourites are lavender and raspberry...In addition, these delicacies may be tasted in a pleasant environment.

The Föngyöskert also located in Vértesacsa is worth visiting because of the wonderful environment and peace. The herb park and the Hungarian folk medicine educational path is a fantastic programme for everyone from age 0 to 100. The founders admitted to have been inspired by the legacy of the former Pauline monks who had owned the territory before. There is also a scented lane and “petting herbs”, the physical and spiritual renewal is the central idea.

We arrive at the end of our expedition bit by bit, let’s wash off the road dust! With what? How about using a goat’s milk soap bar from Jármy manufaktúra! These soaps do not contain additives, but goat’s milk is added to each bar which is marvellous for skin care and as a moisturiser. The colour is provided by herbs and powder of plants, the fragrance results from essential oils. There are soaps scented by nettle, lavender and even marigold – as if a whole rural garden made its way into the soaps. How wonderful!