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Kozard – Centre of Organic Fruits

Hungarian Cserhát Village Offering Food, Nature and Festivals

Jun 3, 2008

Kozard, in the Cserhát Hills in Northern Hungary, is fast becoming one of the centres of organically grown fruit and health foods, with festivals to celebrate them.

Kozard, surrounded by the Cserhát Hills in Northern Hungary, has an ideal climate for the growing of fruits. Surrounded by pastures and forests for generations, it lends itself to organically grown, chemically free fruits, such as apples, plums, apricots, other stone fruits, and berries. Over 100 hectares have been established with plantations of crops as diverse as almonds, black, white and red currants, and cherries.

Sour Cherries

Sour cherries, interestingly enough, were one of the first fruits cultivated by the Hungarians, while some Hungarian varieties of plum are of unknown origin.

Haven

The small town is also gaining a reputation as a haven for artists, such as wood carvers, artists, folk musicians, and other crafts people.

There are plenty of facilities for those who just come to the area to relax, enjoy the pollution free air, and the natural beauty. For those who like to sit and think, Kozard Lake, a new development, offers fishing. Horse riding and bicycling are also available.

Blue Walking Trail

There are plenty of walking opportunities in the area with four official walking trails marked Blue (K), Red (P), Yellow (S), and Green (Z), some of which pass through Kozard. The famous national Blue walking trail, totalling 1,100 kms and crossing all of Hungary, ribbons through the Cserhát Hills, touching upon such gems as the World Heritage village of Hollókõ, and the castle ruins of Szanda.

Photo Opportunities

Even if you don't want to tackle a full scale-walking track, there’s plenty to see just walking around Kozard and some of the other little villages. Every new turn in the road or trail can reveal new photo opportunities: vistas of fields and hills, colourful wildflowers, small wooden houses that could take the starring role in any central European fairy tale.

Area Highlights

For folklore and history, Hollókõ is the place to go. Or you can have a meal at Bab Leves, a small restaurant on the road between Alsótold and Pászto that used to be frequented by highwaymen. The Green trail can take you to Szirak, with its beautiful historic mansion hotel.

Wildlife

And quiet walkers will have the chance to see plenty of the wild life that abounds in the region – hares, foxes, rabbits, deer, wild pig and mouflon (wild sheep) as well as lots of birds.

Walking Map

But before you set off, a map with the walking trails is essential: A Cserhát turistatérképe shows the roads, villages and walking trails.

Food Festivals

Kozard also hosts three food themed festivals throughout the year. The first is in May – the Apple Blossom Festival. As well as displays of organically grown fruits, oils, vegetables, meats and cheeses, there are also plenty of arts and crafts, and folk music, singing and dancing displays.

Apricot Festival

Later in the year is the Apricot Festival, where you can, if you wish, try your hand at making your own apricot jam in the jam making competition. It's all good fun.

Harvest Festival

In September is the Harvest Festival, a Hungarian Flavours and Fruit Festival. There’s an international cooking competition and celebration of foods with competing chefs, and displays of Slow Food cooking by foreign and local cooks. There are also guest visitors from countries such as Italy, showing off their pure foods. )

Mangalica Meat

You can also sample Mangalica – a curly haired Hungarian pig with very healthy low fat meat – sausages or steak.

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