Oplatky Kolonáda

MEET A LEGEND
The predecessors of these favorite spa wafers were probably communion wafers. These were produced from the Middle Ages on an open fire in special metal tongs with a molded image.
Later, these tongs began to be used for baking round wafers. They were decorated with reliefs, dates, or the name of the wafer manufacturer. Nowadays modern machines are used to make wafers, but these special tongs are still an essential part of their production.
According to a legend from the 19th century, a culinary chef from the Premonstratensian monastery in Teplá near Mariánské Lázně was responsible for the creation of spa wafers. Once he was given the task of preparing a dessert for guests, so he decided to use the tongs normally used for making communion wafers. He improved the simple water/flour dough by adding sugar and milk, then added a delicious combination of nuts, sugar, and cinnamon between the baked wafers. The wafers were then sintered together. The dessert was a great success, and the recipe soon made its way past the monastery gates.
After the Second World War, the production of wafers went from the hands of private individuals to state-run factories, but the tradition of making spa wafers was not interrupted. The quality of traditional spa wafers from the Kolonáda Mariánské Lázně factory are still the most sought-after. The secret of their success lies in the original recipe and strict adherence to the original production technology that requires the necessary care and time. The baking molds are made of bronze, the sheets of round wafers are aged for up to four weeks at a certain temperature and humidity, and the nut mixture is still poured by hand before sintering.
Kolonáda Spa Wafers can be enjoyed in several flavors and variations: round nut, vanilla, and chocolate, or as triangles with cocoa or chocolate filling.

Did you know that…
The first production of spa wafers dates back to 1856? They are an inherent part of spa life, and sources from the end of the 18th century tell us that wafers were a popular sweet delicacy among burghers. This is why Kolonáda wafers celebrate their 165th birthday in 2021.