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«Sava» Perfumery in Belgrade – «Everyone deserves to smell nice»
by Carolin Teufelberger
Bombondžija – Belgradian sweets according to an old family recipe
20.12.2022
Translation: Veronica Bielawski
The handmade sweets from «Bombondžija» are well received by locals and tourists alike. So much so, in fact, that the shop is being expanded. But one thing has stayed the same: the recipes – since 1936.
During my visit to our Belgrade office, the house on Gavrila Principa Street immediately stuck out to me. Its sloping roof stands out from the old perimeter block development project and showcases the exposed concrete of the Brutalist buildings on the horizon. Inside, it proves even more interesting. This is where ratluk is still made by hand.
Sweets for the patron saints
Business is so good that the family plans to expand next year. The store and production areas will each get their own space, Milica explains. Currently, the two areas are separated only by a red and white chequered curtain. In front of it is colourful, boxed candy in over a dozen flavours including plum, rose and peanut.
Behind it are old, silver machines. The Bosiljčić family designed most of their equipment themselves; it was already difficult to get the right tools back in the day. The die-cutting machine is still operated by hand – just as it was at the time of the shop’s opening in 1936.
How a thesis resulted in a new flavour
Production takes place in the morning only
Milica still has to learn the craft itself before she takes over the business. So far, she only knows it in theory – that it takes six hours to mix 100 kilogrammes of ratluk mass. After that, it’s left to cool overnight on a metal tray so that it can be shaped the next morning.
These candy cubes are a staple not only among trueborn Belgradians, but are also gaining in popularity among tourists. Quality speaks volumes. «Many people buy our ratluk as a little something to take back home. In exchange, they’ll sometimes bring us souvenirs from their country.»
I take this as my sign to snag a few small boxes for our office in Zurich. I’ve certainly filled my backpack with much sillier souvenirs than this.
My life in a nutshell? On a quest to broaden my horizon. I love discovering and learning new skills and I see a chance to experience something new in everything – be it travelling, reading, cooking, movies or DIY.
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