When asked about the world's most famous brands, the logos for Coca-Cola, McDonald's, Facebook and Google might jump to mind. But Hungary has also given the world some pretty big brands and products, here we take a look at some of the most well-known of the Hungarian brands, a few of which are instantly recognised all over the world. Some, such as Zwack Unicum and Pick Szeged winter salami, are easily associated with Hungary, while others, such as LogMeIn or Prezi, you might be surprised to find out that they have Hungarian origins. Let's get started.
Zsolnay Porcelain
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This Hungarian brand is especially well-known for it's eosin-process porcelain, which changes colour depending on the light but is typically a green, gold, red or blue hue. While Zsolnay's decorative items are easily recognisable, you might be surprised to known that Zsolnay tiles have been used in some famous Hungarian buildings too - particularly during the Art Nouveau period. The Zsolnay porcelain manufacturer was started in the 1800s in the city of Pécs by Miklós Zsolnay and today it's a much-loved brand with its pieces considered a treasured item by those lucky enough to own one. Find out more here.Pick Szeged
Hungary is famous for its cold cuts like salami and sausages, and Hungary's most famous producer of these meaty delights is Pick Szeged.
Each year the business which originated in the town of Szeged produces close to 45,000 tons of meat products, both for domestic and international consumption. They're also the largest Mangalica meat producing business in the world. Probably their most famous is the Pick winter salami, of which they make about seven million sticks per year! For almost 150 years now it's been made using the secret recipe of Márk Pick. Aside from the winter salami, they also produce dried sausage, salamis and other yummy treats for those not watching their cholesterol. Find out more here.Prezi
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Prezi was founded in 2009 by Hungarians Peter Arvai, Péter Halácsy and Adam Somlai-Fischer. We wrote about their Budapest office and about their phenomenal invention earlier. Although they also have a Californian office (something they say is a must for a globally-thinking startup), they have firm Hungarian roots. They have some 50 million users, which is awesome for a business that's just over 5-years-old. So what is Prezi? It's a presentation software that transforms boring presentations into something dynamic, easy to digest and fun to tell. We love them, and so do millions of others because so far some 160 million Prezis have been made. Cool!Bull's Blood of Eger
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Although some might say the quality of this type of wine from the region of Eger is variable, Egri Bikavér is undoubtedly Hungary's most famous red wine. During the siege of Eger castle, it's said the Turks thought the Hungarians were so fierce because they were drinking wine spiked with bull's blood for extra strength. While there are of course many vineyards in that specific region that make Bull's Blood of Eger there are strict and specific standards which must be met for a bottle of wine to bear this name.Szamos
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Szamos is a well-known Hungarian confectioner that offers delicious chocolates and marzipan. You can find various Szamos products in many stores in Hungary - even at the airport. The most famous of their sweets is probably the marzipan rose, which it's said the then apprentice Mátyás Szamos mastered back in the 1930s.
Now they offer ice cream, chocolates and other desserts too. Find out more here.LogMeIn
LogMeIn was founded in 2003 in Budapest but now has global reach and is based in Boston. The software allows users to securely log in to their home or work computers from elsewhere in the world using remote access technology. The company's aim is to increase people's mobility and connectivity. Pretty awesome that they've achieved so much success.Herend Porcelain
Another of Hungary's famous porcelain manufacturers is the porcelain of Herend, also known as "Herendi." It was founded by Vince Stingl in the early 1800s, although Mór Fischer is also credited with making the brand and the porcelain manufacturing as successful as it was. Today it is one of the world's largest producers of porcelain and is a prized object of those who are lucky enough own one. Each item has the famous Herend stamp on it. The fine items of Herend have been taken to many world fairs. Specially made porcelain has also been made for the Hungarian Presidency and the Hungarian Parliament. Find out more here.Csabai and Gyulai sausagesAs we have already mentioned Hungarian salami and sausages are particularly well-known. There are many different versions from dry, smoked and boiled to hot and mild variations. While many different companies (and individuals) make sausages, two kinds have what's known as the Protected Geographical Status - a protection of the names of quality products from certain regions. These are Csabai and Gyulai, the first being from the city of Békéscsaba the latter from the city of Gyula.
The sausages from both these regions, that meet the strict criteria, are among the most popular in Hungary and sought after around the world.Wizz Air
Wizz Air is Hungary's low-cost international airline. The carrier transports people to over 30 countries, to destinations such as London Gatwick, Brussels Charleroi and Barcelona. For more information - or if you're lucky enough to want to book a flight - look here. Wizz Air first took off in 2004 and now there are some 360 routes to choose from!Tokaji Aszú
We wrote about Tokaji Aszú in our article on 19 signs you learned to drink in Hungary, and it's worth mentioning here again because it's probably one of Hungary's most famous sweet wines. Like Bull's Blood of Eger, the name encompasses a specific style of sweet wine from the region of Tokaj.Szegedi and Kalocsai paprika
Pretty much every Hungarian meal is spiced with sweet or hot paprika powder and the brands often associated with this red gold is Szegedi Paprika or Kalocsai Paprika. Both produce various products, but obviously the flagship is the ground red paprika powder.Zwack Unicum
This year Zwack Unicum turns 225, and so it's no surprise that this is a well-known Hungarian drink, especially when you take into account how much Hungarians love drinking. The dark herbal liqueur is said to be made from about 40 different herbs and spices. The round bottle and the "drowning man" advertising poster are almost equally as famous as the drink.
Univer: Erős Pista and Piros Arany
It's hard to eat anything at a restaurant in Hungary without having a jar of Erős Pista ("Strong Steve") placed on the table. The paprika sauce/paste has ground paprika bits in it and adds a bit of paprika heat to your soups or meats. It's surpassed only in popularity by another of Univer's brands Piros Arany ("Red Gold"), which is a paprika paste that dates back to 1963 and adds that distinct paprika red to soups, stews and "paprikash" dishes.Dreher
Dreher is one of Hungary's famous beers. The brewery where Dreher beer is made has been around since 1854, and it's Hungary's first beer factory. Other famous Hungarian beers include Arany Ászok (also brewed at the Dreher factory), Soproni and Borsodi.PálinkaWhile there are many brand names for the various distillers of pálinka, as a group this fruit brandy is probably one of Hungary's most famous "brands" or so-called hungaricums - especially in the category of alcohol. There is a rule in place to protect the label of "pálinka" so that only fruit spirits that meet strict guidelines such as being mashed, distilled, matured and bottled in Hungary can be called pálinka. There are many different flavours of this potent drink from apricot and plum to honey and apple, you must try it (at least) once!Szentkirályi Mineral Water
Szentkirályi mineral water dates back to the late 1980s, when the owners began producing soft drinks in Szentkirály - a place 20 kilometres from the town of Kecskemét. During the manufacture of the drinks, they realised that the water from the well on site had the optimal level of minerals in it and they decided to focus on mineral water. It has been awarded as one of the world's best mineral waters winning the Aqua-Eauscar Award in the 'still' category. The brand is known in many parts of the world and the brand has even appeared at the Grammy Awards and Academy Awards.Rubik's Cube
Almost everyone has tried to solve a Rubik's Cube at least once in their life. This puzzle was invented by Hungarian Ernő Rubik in 1974. While Rubik's Brand and the associated licensing rights are no longer based in Hungary, the copyright still belongs to Ernő Rubik and thus, for the purposes of this article, will still claim this brand as Hungarian.Kodály MethodZoltán Kodály was a famous Hungarian composer in the 1900s, his principles for music eduction - the aptly named Kodály Method - have been adopted in Hungary and around the world. The emphasis is on starting music teaching at an earlier age, improving the quality of the music taught and enhancements to the curriculum used. It's said to improve rhythm skills, singing, intonation and so forth. Do you want to be better musically? Find out more here.Ferencvárosi Torna Club
If you know anything about football (aka soccer) you have probably heard about Hungary's most prominent football club Ferencváros or Fradi for short. The club is both Hungary's most successful and most popular, and all over the world people of Hungarian extraction are often likely to say they support Fradi. The club has a rich history dating back to 1899. Although the football department is the most prominent, the Ferencváros Torna Club ("Gymnastics Club") also has other sports such as handball and water polo teams under the same brand.OthersThere are a number of other world famous Hungarian brands. We could also mention Makó onions, Vass shoes, Ikarus, Pöttyös Túró Rudi, St. Hubertus, Gabor shoes, Béres drops, Nanushka, the AMD–65 rifle and many others. Of course one of the world's most famous brands, Estée Lauder, also has Hungarian origins because Estée herself had Hungarian parents - although we can't exactly claim that as Hungarian brand of course.
Are there any others? You could suggest more in the comments section below.
FAQs
What is the most famous Hungarian company? ›
Zsolnay Porcelán
The famous porcelain, stoneware and ceramic manufacturer company was established in 1853 and by the turn of the 20th century it became the largest company in Austro-Hungary.
OthersThere are a number of other world famous Hungarian brands. We could also mention Makó onions, Vass shoes, Ikarus, Pöttyös Túró Rudi, St. Hubertus, Gabor shoes, Béres drops, Nanushka, the AMD–65 rifle and many others.
What is the famous product of Hungary? ›Today, Hungary is a large-scale producer of paprika. The towns of Kalocsa and Szeged are the main paprika-producing places. However, Hungarian paprika with the distinctive red color can be found almost anywhere.
What products are made in Hungary? ›- Wines. Hungarian wines are easy to drink and extremely diverse. ...
- Sparkling wine. A couple of wineries have embarked on making artisanal sparkling wine. ...
- Craft beer. ...
- Syrups. ...
- Jams. ...
- Chocolates / Pralines. ...
- Acacia honey. ...
- Artisanal vinegars.
Hungary's main exports are machinery and transport equipment, consumer goods, agricultural products, chemicals, apparel, textiles, iron and steel, and wine. Trade with EU countries now comprises over 79 percent. Germany is Hungary's the most important trading partner.
What is unique to Hungary? ›Hungary is also the birthplace of many famous people. Erno Rubik, a sculptor and professor, invented the Rubik's Cube in 1974. Hungary boasts 13 Nobel Prize winners, and magician Harry Houdini was also born in the country's capital, Budapest. The Eastern European country's cuisine primarily consists of meat dishes.
Where do rich Hungarians live? ›...
Rózsadomb.
| Rose Hill Rózsadomb | |
|---|---|
| Region | Central Hungary |
| City | Budapest |
| District | 2nd district |
Surviving the whirlwinds of the business world is not an easy task, so hats off to these companies! You might be able to guess the Hungarian winner: the world-famous bitter, Unicum.
What toy did Hungary invent? ›Rubik's Cube, toy, popular in the 1980s, that was designed by Hungarian inventor Erno Rubik. Rubik's Cube consists of 26 small cubes that rotate on a central axis; nine coloured cube faces, in three rows of three each, form each side of the cube.
What car is made in Hungary? ›There are four leading original transport equipment manufacturers operating in Hungary — namely Audi, Mercedes, Opel, and Suzuki. Of the aforementioned automotive companies, Audi was the most successful in 2021 in terms of revenue.
What is the most popular car brand in Hungary? ›
The most popular car brands among Hungarians in 2021
As far as the individual brands are concerned, Suzuki continued to lead with 17,650 cars with a share of 14.5 percent, which means the Japanese car-maker has been leading the market in Hungary for six years now.
Ajka Crystal. Like many countries in Central Europe (especially the Czech Republic), Hungary is famed for its crystal. If you're looking for souvenirs to buy in Budapest to really impress the folks back home, you need some of this! Ajka Crystal is one of the most high-end producers of crystal in the world.
What is a Hungarian secret box? ›Beautifully painted and hand-carved, these intricate wooden boxes are more than simply a place to store jewelry or trinkets: the Hungarian secret box can only be opened by those who know how, with a combination of hidden panels and locks guarding its contents.
What is made in Budapest? ›- Porcelain. The Hungarian traditional of hand crafted porcelain dates back hundreds of years. ...
- Ajka Crystal. ...
- Painted Eggs. ...
- Traditional Hungarian Shirts. ...
- Traditional Dolls. ...
- Tokaji Wine. ...
- Tablecloths. ...
- The Hungarian Secret Box.
...
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| Rank | Country | GDP-PPP ($) |
|---|---|---|
| 43 | Poland | 41,685 |
| 44 | Hungary | 40,944 |
| 45 | Portugal | 40,805 |
| 46 | The Bahamas | 40,274 |
Exports The top exports of Hungary are Cars ($11.5B), Motor vehicles; parts and accessories (8701 to 8705) ($6.73B), Packaged Medicaments ($3.69B), Video Displays ($3.55B), and Spark-Ignition Engines ($2.67B), exporting mostly to Germany ($31.4B), Romania ($6.28B), Italy ($5.87B), Slovakia ($5.42B), and France ($4.96B) ...
What are the top 5 industries in Hungary? ›- The electronics industry.
- Pharmaceutical and medical technology industry.
- Information and communications technology industry.
- Food industry.
- Hungarian economy.
This mentality is a legacy of the communist era, wherein the government controlled nearly all facets of society. Hungarians tend to be quite individualistic , meaning that the interests of oneself and one's immediate family take priority. Hungarians rely on their close friends and family for support.
What do Hungarians call themselves? ›Originally Answered: Why do Hungarians call themselves "magyars"? “Magyar" is Finno-Ugric from the Old Hungarian "mogyër". "Magyar" possibly derived from the name of the most prominent Hungarian tribe, the "Megyer". The tribal name "Megyer" became "Magyar" in reference to the Hungarian people as a whole.
What are Hungarian stereotypes? ›Helpful men and beautiful women: two of the most common stereotypes of the Hungarian character. Impulsive, free-spirited, loud, sometimes blue and always friendly. Ready to offer a meal and drinks, the most enthusiastic host, who will eat and dance with you at the same time.
What US city has the most Hungarians? ›
Ranked by population
New York City 57,673 (0.7%) Los Angeles, California 16,802 (0.4%) Chicago, Illinois 8,600 (0.3%)
The U.S. Census Bureau has estimated that there are approximately 1.396 million Americans of Hungarian descent as of 2018. The total number of people with ethnic Hungarian background is estimated to be around 4 million. The largest concentration is in the Greater Cleveland Metropolitan Area in Northeast Ohio.
What DNA do Hungarians have? ›Despite of the eastern roots of the Hungarian language the present-day gene pool of Hungarians is very similar to the neighbouring non-Uralic speaking Central Europeans according to autosomal10,11, Y-chromosomal (chrY)12,13,14,15,16 and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) data13,17.
What is the old name of Hungary? ›Medieval authors denominated the Hungarians as Hungaria, but the Hungarians even contemporarily denominate themselves Magyars and their homeland Magyarország.
What is the oldest famous brand? ›- Caswell-Massey (1752) Dr. ...
- The Hartford Courant (1764) ...
- Baker's Chocolate (1765) ...
- Ames (1774) ...
- King Arthur Baking Co. ...
- Cigna (1792) ...
- Dixon Ticonderoga (1795) ...
- Jim Beam (1795)
What Is the Oldest Business in the World? The oldest business in the world is a company in Japan called Kongō Gumi, which has been in operation since 578. It is the oldest company on the list by far, predating the second-oldest by more than 200 years.
What Hungary gave to the world? ›- RUBIK'S CUBE.
- BALLPOINT PEN.
- VITAMIN C.
- ELECTRIC LOCOMOTIVE.
- CARBONATED WATER.
- WORD & EXCEL.
- PREZI.
- SAFETY MATCH.
Laszlo Biro invented the modern ballpoint pen. A native of Budapest, Hungary, Biro was working as a journalist when he noticed a fundamental difference between two types of ink.
What is the most sold car in Hungary? ›In 2021, Suzuki Vitara was the most popular car model in Hungary as nearly 8.4 thousand units were registered over the year. It was followed by Suzuki SX4 S-Cross with almost 6.3 thousand new registrations in 2021.
What Audi is made in Hungary? ›Audi builds models including the Q3 SUV at its plant in Gyor, Hungary.
Which Mercedes is made in Hungary? ›
The Hungarian plant, opened in March 2012, plays an important role in this: Together with the Rastatt plant, it produces the B-Class. In addition, it is the sole production location of the compact four-door coupe CLA.
What are the 3 most popular car brands? ›...
Here is the Full Ranking List (Top 50)
| Rank | Company | Country |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | Toyota | Japan |
| #2 | Volkswagen | Germany |
| #3 | Daimler | Germany |
| #4 | Ford Motor | United States |
- 2023 Honda Civic. Best Compact Car. Finalists: Mazda Mazda3, Toyota Corolla.
- 2023 Chevrolet Bolt. Best Electric Car.
- 2023 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid. Best Hybrid Car. Finalists: Toyota Camry Hybrid.
- 2023 Kia K5. Best Midsize Car. Finalists: Toyota Camry.
- 2023 Kia Rio. Best Subcompact Car.
Hungarians are also known for their blue-dyed crafts, copper works, hats, porcelain jewelry, horn carving, musical instruments, wickerwork, and the invention of the ball-point (biro) pen. Traditional Hungarian jewelry used common materials such as shells, seeds, horsehair, horn, glass, and metals.
What is Hungary most famous for? ›Hungary is known for its rich culinary culture, the beautiful Danube river, and the architectural wonders of Budapest. Hungary is also famous for its rich history, having served as the capital of one of Europe's last great empires.
What hand do Hungarians wear wedding ring? ›Many European countries such as Greece, Denmark, Hungary, Austria, Norway, Portugal, Spain, and Poland, wear the wedding ring on the right hand.
What is a typical breakfast in Hungary? ›In Hungary, a typical breakfast may consist of fresh bread, cold sausage type minced meat products (such as kolbász or szalámi), some vegetables or jam. Lunch is the main meal of the day, usually consisting of three courses: soup is followed by a main dish and a dessert.
What do Hungarians say when they toast? ›― Cheers! (literally, “To your health!”) A: Köszönöm az ebédet.
What time do Hungarians eat dinner? ›#6 - In Hungary, people usually eat dinner between 7 and 9 p.m., and it's the main meal of the day. For the best experience, try booking a table for 8 p.m. Most fine dining restaurants turn only one table an evening, meaning that you should be able to score an 8 p.m. reservation.
Which is better Buda or Pest? ›Reputation. Buda – Definitely the classier and more residential side of the city, Buda is known for being a bit quieter and the place to go for a leisurely sightseeing experience. Pest – Known for being where all of the action happens – the place to be touristy, hang out and have fun.
What to drink in Hungary? ›
Regional drinks
Hungary has a wide range of very palatable home-produced wines as well as many different types of fruit brandy. Tokaji (strong dessert wine). Bikavér (meaning 'Bull's Blood', a strong red wine). Pálinka (brandy) comes in barack (apricot), szilva (plum) körte (pear) and cseresznye (cherry) flavour.
Budapest is very English-friendly
Almost everyone we encountered spoke English well or even fluently. Signs on the streets and in shops are generally in both Hungarian and English and every restaurant were visited had a menu in English.
...
- OTP BANK NYRT. ...
- RICHTER GEDEON VEGYESZETI GYAR NYILVANOSAN MUKODO. ...
- MAGYAR TELEKOM TAVKOZLESI. ...
- OPUS GLOBAL NYRT. ...
- 4IG NYRT.
Mészáros ranked number one in Forbes Hungary's 2022 rankings with a fortune of around HUF 488 billion (EUR 1.2 billion), but now his position has changed significantly and his wealth has fallen sharply.
What industry is Hungary known for? ›The main sectors of Hungarian industry are heavy industry (mining, metallurgy, machine and steel production), energy production, mechanical engineering, chemicals, food industry and automobile production.
What are the top 3 companies? ›- #1 Walmart Inc. (WMT)
- #2 China Petroleum & Chemical Corp. (SNP)
- #3 Amazon.com Inc. (AMZN)
- #4 PetroChina Co. Ltd. (PTR)
- #5 Apple Inc. (AAPL)
- #6 CVS Health Corp. (CVS)
- #7 Royal Dutch Shell PLC (RDS.A)
- #8 Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK.A)
| Rank | Company | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Berkshire Hathaway | United States |
| 2 | ICBC | China |
| 3 | Saudi Aramco | Saudi Arabia |
| 4 | JPMorgan Chase | United States |
By the first definition, some examples of second world countries include: Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Russia, and China, among others.
What were Hungarians originally called? ›It is generally believed that Hungary came into existence when the Magyars, a Finno-Ugric people, began occupying the middle basin of the Danube River in the late 9th century.
Are Hungarians wealthy? ›...
Estimated net worth of the ten richest Hungarians in 2021 (in billion forints)
What is the richest city in Hungary? ›
Wealthiest counties in Hungary in 2022, by purchasing power per capita index. The capital of Hungary, Budapest had the highest purchasing power per capita in the country, where the purchasing power per capita index totaled 129 percent, compared to the average recorded in the country.