Great Balaton syrup tour – syrup specialities you must taste

Homemade syrup making has a long history in the Lake Balaton area, but in recent years a fresh wave has started: nowadays, it's not just grandma's hobby to make syrup. More and more people want additive-free syrups made from real fruit on the family table: their selection will help you find out where to look for artisanal delicacies.

The Suasory in Tapioca has been making its handcrafted syrups since 2014, which nowadays are synonymous with the taste of summer for many people. It's a small family-run business, but while the first batches were made in their own kitchen, they now produce on a much larger scale. What remains unchanged is the artisanal technology, the commitment to tradition and the tried and tested tricks that grandma gave us. For lovers of classic flavours, elderberry and raspberry syrups are sure to be a hit, while for the more adventurous, try the strawberry-basil or elderberry-hibiscus syrups. At Suasory, they are constantly looking for ways to innovate: the "fruit" of this is (stylishly) the cucumber syrup with mint, and their winter spiced syrup, which can also be consumed as a hot drink.  Sugar avoiders are also catered for: their lavender, sour cherry and raspberry-rose syrups are also safe to consume.

At Kolosseum Farm, they work full-time growing fruit, making syrups and jams. They offer a wide range, but they also make it a point to stock only the best products possible, so they offer nine classic flavours: elderflower, elderberry, strawberry, forest fruit, blackcurrant, lavender, raspberry, cherry and blackberry. Their products are free of colourings and flavour enhancers, and their activities aim to preserve environmental and landscape values and promote local farming opportunities. It is important to stress that their aim is not to harvest tens of tons of fruit and exhaust the orchard: they believe in sustainable fruit production and want to have such a healthy and happy orchard in 10 years.

The family business from Keszthely has been making premium syrups since 2013, based on an old family recipe. No concentrate is used in the production process, so you can taste the real fruit in the products. Fans of the classics will surely commit to “Spájz” syrups, as they have perfected 15 different syrups. You'll find elderberry syrup, raspberry syrup and ginger syrup on their shelves, but there are also more extreme flavours such as the exotic Asian lemongrass syrup or the award-winning Provence syrup.  In 2021, a new range was launched called Spritz, which makes the refreshing taste experience of syrups portable in a small box. Carbonated soft drinks are available in raspberry, elderflower and sugar-free lavender flavours.

For those looking for really extreme syrup combinations, Zsusska is the place to visit! You've almost certainly never tasted a chilli-ginger plum syrup, dandelion or chervil syrup before. With over thirty different syrups to choose from, there is sure to be something new for everyone. Besides the special flavours, there is of course, the great Balaton classic, lavender, and other familiar flavours such as elderberry or raspberry syrup. The syrups are made using only natural ingredients, with no preservatives, artificial additives, colours or flavours, just the delicious taste of selected fruits. They also offer a range of sugar-free syrups for everyone to enjoy, from simple elderberry syrups to specialities such as hawthorn syrup or thyme syrup.