The Game of the Ice Cream Throne - Part II.

Várkávézó, Szigliget

Várkávézó by the church under the castle of Szigliget vouches for classical, natural flavours. Their far-famed ice creams have made many-a traveller take a detour. Nothing is overcomplicated here: the ice creams are created with fresh fruit, and real milk cream. For 4 kg of fruit ice, they use 2kgs of fresh fruit. The fresh, gluten-free ice creams that can be preserved for 3 days, are free of preservatives and colourings. Those of a ore critical palate are encouraged to try the indicator flavours of pistachio and nut as well: the ingredients arrive from Sicily for the previous and from Piemont for the latter. Last year, they did not enter the contest, but this year they'll do.

Zoltán Németh, the owner and master of ice creams did not reveal the exact flavour, but explained it will be neither puffy nor fruity - instead, expect Balaton-specific flavours and local ingredients.

Florida, Balatonmáriafürdő

Balatonmáriafürdő's Florida ice cream parlour took the title last year with its champagne-marzipan-strawberry creation called  ‘Balatoni Randevú’ (Balaton Rendez-vous). The counter holds 32 ice creams here, including several award winning creations, like the national runner-up apricot-curd cheese ball. There are also extreme flavours and combinations like the pitaya, or the exotic fruits-lime combo inspired by the soccer world cup in Brazil. First and foremost, however, Attila Pálfi and family prepare ice creams á la Hungarian taste, and the poppy seed creations are quite popular. Florida also has sugar-free ice cream.

This year, the parlour enters the contest with a chestnut-based ice cream, which was the favourite dessert of Mária Andrássy, wife of Count Imre Széchenyi and the eponym of the town. Their other entry is a "Balaton party ice cream", evoking the vibes of the Lake with local ingredients and a few twists.

Kárpáti Confectionery, Balatonföldvár

Last year, its fico-walnut ice ream earned the Kárpáti Confectionery (found in Balatonföldvár's marina) special recognition; since, several ice cream parlours around Hungary have taken over the flavour combination. The favourite haunt of Földvár creates 40-50 types of ice cream every year, of which 12 are found in the counter at the same time. Half of the selection consists of classics, like chocolate and vanilla, while the other half contains flavours one cannot create with creams and pastes. The owner, Péter Kárpáti continues experimenting even throughout the winter, inspiration often comes to him during the colder part of the year from professional magazines and books - or from a new cake.

This year, they enter the contest with a flavour they tested at the end of season 2014. All we know about it is that this specific ice cream of a secret ingredient cannot be tasted anywhere else.The other entry is a fruit creation, but it is still in the works.

La Rosa Fagylatozó, Siófok

They shape fancy ice cream flowers onto your scone at La Rosa ice cream parlour, just 5 minutes from both Siófok's train station and the Petőfi promenade. On top of it, you can have your ice cream flower from flower ice cream, since they also have creations made of violet, black locust, lime, elderberry and rose. Their other strength is fruit ice cream from real fruit. Last year, they entered the contest with Amore, a honey-walnut-sour cherry cinnamon ice.

This year, their entry will be a fruit ice cream, made of a fruit that is also found (though rare) in Hungary. Of course, the mysterious fruit ice cream will have some extra addition as well, yet undisclosed. Their other entry is the ice cream version of a French rum-chocolate cake of Polish origins, Rumbaba.

The Ice CReam of Balaton will be chosen in the frame of the Nyitott Balaton event series. The winner will be announced by the beginning of the series, on 1 May.