The history of rolled
waffers of Hořice
Already in 1812, the personal chef of Emperor Napoleon brought this dessert to the region of Hořice where he was recovering from his war injuries. The first historical mention of the rolled wafers’ manufacturing within the designated geographical area of Hořice dates back to 1812, when sweet, rolled wafers began to be produced for family celebrations and as presents by the family of Mrs. Líčková.
The family manufacturing trade secret was perfected by Karel Kofránek, a confectioner who married into the family. In 1898, a patent was awarded for his invention — an electric wafer-maker. By that time, the rolled wafers of Hořice were already manufactured commercially and even exported to Germany, England, France, Turkey, America and Shanghai. They also received a series of awards and recognitions at trade fairs both at home and abroad.
After the 1949 nationalization, the rolled wafers of Hořice were produced in the Fejt factory until 1962, and then the national enterprise of Pardubický gingerbread, Industry of durable pastries or Enterprise of local economy gradually took over. Following the return to the market economy, the members of the Rolled Wafers of Hořice Association decided to resume the production method traditionally bound with the designated geographical area.
The tradition of manufacturing sweet, rolled wafers in Hořice and the adjacent villages is almost two hundred years old. This popular confectionery has become a traditional specialty firmly associated with the town of Hořice, located 24 km north of the regional metropolis of Hradec Králové in the Czech Republic.
With their characteristic sweet taste and a unique fragrance, the rolled wafers of Hořice have become a concept entrenched in the subconscious of consumers over the years of their production. The rolled wafers of Hořice manufactured under Kofránek’s recipe have received 65 awards and certificates from various domestic and foreign exhibitions.
The designation of Rolled Wafers of Hořice is based on a tradition that has been developed and maintained in this city for generations.
It can be proven that the know-how of the manufacturers of the Association draws on historical sources. When processing raw materials, they follow the formula corresponding to the traditional Hořice production. The tradition has been perpetuated on account of the know-how being passed on to the new producers from former employees and family members.
