GHRAOUI CHOCOLATE

The Ghraoui name is the legacy of an ancient Damascene trading family that established its business in 1805. The Ghraoui brand has always been associated with high quality and excellence despite the political hardship that plagued its history. The Ghraoui success and legacy was passed down from one Ghraoui generation to the next. Read more about the Ghraoui legacy online HERE. Luckily for me, Ghraoui has opened its' doors just around the corner from my Budapest home and I walk by nearly each day to try out a new flavour or find someone to buy a gift box for. Designed by the famous architect, painter and designer Bruno Moinard, the interior of Ghraoui features marble table tops, intricate paintings and designs of roses, trees and fruits on the walls and intricate details all around the shop, wherever you may look.

Photo Reviczky Zsolt

In 2012, the doors of the Damascene manufactory were closed due to the Syrian civil war and after all these years, they have reopened again, but this time in Budapest. The goal is to put Hungary on the map of the chocolate world! By starting here, the brand can reinvent itself, like many do in the capital. Chocolate has no boundaries!

From the moment I walked into Ghraoui, I felt like a kid in a candy store - no pun intended - as the sweet smell of homemade chocolates filled the air. It was not easy to choose a selection and I could have easily walked out with a taster of each one, but I narrowed down my selection and have been going back to try the various other flavours. It was a true delight to have the manager of the store walk us around and explain the importance of the chocolates. 

My Ghraoui box contains:

(from top left to right)

Caramel mou - caramel coated with milk chocolate

Chateau d'amour - fuillentine flakes and praline, coated with dark chocolate

Strawberry cheese cake - biscuit, creamy filling and strawberry puree coated with milk chocolate

Demi lune - plain dark chocolate

(from bottom left to right)

Coeur de Budapest - milk chocolate with almond praline - the heart of Budapest and a classic one to try and include in a gift box

Emessa - roasted almond covered with milk chocolate

Mocka - dark chocolate with caramel and coffee bean

Coquillages - octopus milk chocolate with praline

Thank you to Ghraoui for the luxury chocolate shopping experience and I am certain that I will return again soon to satisfy my sweet tooth!

You can find Ghraoui on Andrassy utca 31, Budapest and look out for the Paris store in the 7th district on boulevard Saint Germain to open soon!