Hadji Bey facts for kids
Hadji Bey is a type of Turkish delight candy. It was first made in Cork, Ireland. Now, it is made in County Kildare by a different company.
Contents
The Story of Hadji Bey
Starting a Sweet Business
The delicious Hadji Bey sweets were first created by Harutun and Esther Batmazian. They were an Armenian couple who came to Cork in 1902. They had left their home because of difficult times.
In 1902, they showed their special sweets at the Great Cork International Exhibition. People loved them! Soon, their business grew very well in Cork city.
Overcoming Challenges
After WWI, the Batmazian family faced a tough time. Their shop was damaged. It is thought this happened because some people misunderstood their background.
After this, Mr. Batmazian moved the shop to McCurtain Street. He worked hard to help local people understand his family's history. The sweet quickly became a favourite treat in the area.
A Sweet Success Story
The Hadji Bey sweets became very popular. They were even sent to famous stores like Harrods in London and Bloomingdale's in New York. The sweets were also supplied to Buckingham Palace! This shows how special they were.
The front of their shop on McCurtain Street had a fancy name: Hadji Bey et Cie. This made the shop feel exciting and international.
Hadji Bey Today
Changes Over Time
Esther Batmazian passed away in the 1940s. Her husband, Harutun, later moved to the United States. Their son, Eddie Batmazian, took over the business. He ran it until he retired in 1970. After that, the business started to slow down.
In 2010, a company called UHC Confectionery bought the Hadji Bey product. They now make the sweets in Newbridge, County Kildare. You can still find Hadji Bey sweets for sale at the English Market in Cork.
