GALFFIS chocolate manufactory in Odorheiu Secuiesc

Bean-to-bar chocolate in the heart of Székely Land

Odorheiu Secuiesc (Hungarian: Székelyudvarhely) is known above all for its history, schools and Székely traditions, but it also has an unexpected craft – chocolate. In 2012 Gálfi Dezső began making chocolate in his home town and called the business GALFFIS. He trained in chocolate making with the Italian company SELMI, which builds equipment for chocolatiers, and over time turned a personal idea into a family manufactory. The owners call it Transylvania’s first chocolate factory.

GALFFIS works bean to bar: the manufactory roasts its own cocoa beans, grinds them and follows the whole path to the finished bar, rather than remelting ready-made couverture. It also has its own coffee roastery. Besides the manufactory in Odorheiu Secuiesc, the company runs a shop in Târgu Mureș.

The bean-to-bar path is long and takes patience: the cocoa beans are sorted, roasted, cracked and separated from their shells, then the mass is ground and stirred for hours until it turns silky, and finally it is tempered – slowly cooled and rewarmed so that the bar shines and snaps cleanly. That is why each batch of such chocolate tastes slightly different, depending on where the beans come from.

Why go

The manufactory is open to visitors. The guided tour covers both the chocolate workshop and the coffee roastery: you see the whole production process and hear how the machines work – from roasting the cocoa beans to tempering and moulding the bars. It ends with a tasting of cocoa and chocolate. A visit takes about 30–40 minutes.

The programme is designed mainly for groups: the manufactory’s website mentions groups of 10 to 100 people. If you are travelling alone or as a couple, call ahead – you may be able to join a group. Chocolate and coffee can be bought in the shop at the manufactory. It is a good programme for families with children and for a rainy day. According to the county tourism portal, the showroom seats up to 25 guests and the cosy terrace up to 15: this is where you hear the manufactory’s story over the house coffees and teas.

What to taste and buy

• Bean-to-bar bars – dark, milk and white chocolate.
• Bars with fruit and flavours, filled chocolate and “rustic” chocolate.
• Pralines and dragées in boxes – a good gift to take home.
• Coffee roasted in house – single origins and blends.
• Hot chocolate and teas.

Practical information

Address: Str. Sâmbătești 61, 535600 Odorheiu Secuiesc, Harghita County – in the north of the town. About 25 km from Corund and about 50 km from Miercurea Ciuc. From Ukraine the easiest route is via the Porubne–Siret border crossing, then Suceava, the Bicaz Gorge and Gheorgheni – about 320 km in total.

Tours: by prior booking only, by phone on +40 771 388 915 (tours) or +40 741 652 167; e-mail [email protected]. Check the price and times when booking.

Nearby

• Pálinka Jamy distillery – fruit pálinka in the same town.
• Corund pottery bazaar – Székely ceramics half an hour’s drive away.
• Harghita-Mădăraș – the highest peak of the volcanic Harghita Mountains.
• The historic centre of Odorheiu Secuiesc with its fortress and old schools.

Official website: galffis.com

Photos: GALFFIS, official website.